CINCINNATI, OH. (WYMT) – Kentucky’s attorney general is weighing upholding the death penalty in one of eastern Kentucky’s most notorious murders, Attorney General Russell Coleman said.

In 1986, Benny Lee Hodge was convicted of murdering 23-year-old Tammy Acker and attacking her father in Letcher County.

Hodge and an accomplice, Dr. They entered Roscoe Acker’s house posing as FBI agents. Once inside, they tied up the victims, Dr. They forced Acker to open his safe, strangled him until he lost consciousness, and stabbed at least his daughter. 10 times using a kitchen knife.

The 18 judges of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit met Wednesday afternoon to hear arguments about Hodge’s attempt to overturn his conviction.

“Mr. Hodge had his day in court nearly 40 years ago, and the jury handed down a fair sentence. “For the safety of all Kentuckians, it is critical that we comply with the jury’s verdict and ultimately achieve justice for the Acker family,” said Attorney General Coleman.

Since his conviction, Hodge has filed multiple appeals in an attempt to avoid sentencing.

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