A former University of Kentucky student has pleaded guilty to assault after a video went viral of him attacking a black student and yelling racial slurs, including the N-word, more than 200 times, according to reports.
Sophia Rosing, 23, pleaded guilty Monday in Fayette County Circuit Court to four counts of fourth-degree assault, one count of disorderly conduct and one count of public intoxication, according to her attorney, Fred Peters. Lexington Herald-Leader on monday.
The guilty plea came after mediation, with Peters saying “things had been discussed, apologies had been made and the matter was resolved.”
“Her life has been on hold for the past 18 to 20 months,” her lawyer told the outlet. “She has had plenty of time to think about what she has done and has written a detailed letter of apology.”
Rosing is accused of becoming drunk and going on a rampage in a university dorm on Nov. 6, 2022, when he kicked, punched and bit 19-year-old student worker Kayla Spring while repeatedly yelling the N-word at her.
Spring previously said he had attempted to check on Rosing, who appeared to be intoxicated and in need of help, but was instead attacked by students and subjected to offensive, abusive language. TikTok Videos Of encounter.
“The girl started saying things like, ‘Do my chores,’ ‘It’s not my fault you’re black,’ ‘It’s not my fault you’re ugly,’ at which point she was practically singing the N-word,” Spring said after the assault.
The former British student continued his terrible behaviour after police arrived and he was handcuffed, allegedly kicking and biting arresting officers in a drunken and violent stunt.
After her arrest, a judge set her bail at $10,000, which she paid. She was released the next day.
The late-night assault was captured on video and posted online, where it went viral, sparking outrage and prompting students to hold a “March Against Racism” rally on campus.
During the 10-minute video, an intoxicated Rosing can be heard saying the N-word more than 200 times, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader.
The University of Kentucky permanently banned Rosing from campus following the racist attack.
In February 2023, Rosing was indicted by a Fayette County grand jury on all six of the original charges, including assault on a police officer and felony assault. She pleaded not guilty.
Peters told the outlet that Rosing’s case has been heard five times since the indictment, during which both parties have been working to reach a resolution.
Peters told the outlet that by pleading guilty, the former business marketing major faces up to 12 months in prison, 100 hours of community service and a $25 fine.
She is scheduled to be sentenced on October 17th.
Spring, who was present to enter his guilty plea after Monday’s hearing, Rex 18 She also revealed that she and Mr Rosing had had the opportunity to speak during mediation.
“I told her she didn’t break my spirit,” Spring told the outlet.
“That was one of the things I said the first time I spoke about this incident, and it still rings true today.”
Peters also told the outlet that his client is “deeply remorseful” and that “during mediation she read a heartfelt apology to Kayla.”
But Haru didn’t believe it.
“I feel that people who are remorseful will act in ways that demonstrate their remorse,” Spring said. Rex 18“It’s not just words.”
Spring maintained that Rosing did not mention the racist comments he used against her during the hearing, saying she may need to be “a little more mature and understanding” to accept that.
“Once she’s able to admit at least some of what she did, own up to what she said and take responsibility, I think that will follow,” Spring told the outlet.
“I think it’s never easy to see yourself acting in that situation, so I think she still has a little bit of maturity and understanding to do that, so I’m going to give her the space to do that.”
Still, Spring said she forgave Rosing and was raised “not to hold grudges.”
“I forgive her for my own sake,” Spring explained.
“I was raised not to hold grudges. God has forgiven us, so we should forgive others. It’s hard for me to accept that, but at the end of the day, I want to live my life so that people can say I was a kind and forgiving person.”
