Sophia Rosing, a former University of Kentucky student whose racist attack on a Black classmate was captured in a viral video, has been sentenced to 12 months in jail. The 23-year-old pleaded guilty in August to multiple charges, including four counts of assault, one count of disorderly conduct, and one count of public intoxication, all stemming from the November 2022 incident. In addition to her jail sentence, Rosing will serve 100 hours of community service and pay a $25 fine.
The assault took place in the early hours of November 6, 2022, when Rosing, visibly intoxicated, entered a university dormitory and began physically and verbally attacking Kylah Spring, a freshman who was working at the front desk. Video footage, which spread widely on social media, showed Rosing kicking, punching, and biting Spring while repeatedly using racial slurs, including the N-word, and making derogatory comments about Spring’s race. The incident sparked national outrage and led to Rosing’s arrest later that night.
Rosing’s actions prompted swift repercussions. She was suspended from the university, permanently banned from its campus, and lost her job at a local Dillard’s store. Her attorney, Fred Peters, argued that the 12-month jail sentence was excessive for a first-time offense. “What she said was awful,” Peters admitted, but maintained that a prison sentence was disproportionate given the circumstances.
However, the assault—and the viral video of it—had already placed Rosing at the center of a heated public debate about racial violence and privilege. During her arrest, Rosing allegedly told police that she was used to receiving “special treatment” and boasted of having “lots of money.” According to court documents, she also kicked and bit a police officer while being taken into custody.
The student body at the University of Kentucky rallied in support of Spring, organizing protests and demonstrations to condemn racial violence on campus. Spring herself spoke out in the aftermath of the attack, addressing the community and advocating for accountability. Though Rosing apologized to Spring during a mediation in August, Spring later stated that Rosing had not acknowledged the racial motivations behind her actions. “I forgive her more so for myself,” Spring said in an interview, adding that she was raised not to hold grudges. “But I feel that true remorse is shown through actions, not just words.”
Despite Rosing’s apology, the public outcry over the incident and the calls for justice have continued. Many who viewed the video expressed outrage at the leniency with which Rosing was initially treated and questioned whether her wealth and privilege had influenced the handling of her case. One commenter on social media summed up the general sentiment: “Actions have consequences, and she found out the hard way.”
Rosing will serve her sentence in protective custody at the Fayette County Detention Center. The case has sparked broader discussions about racism and accountability in educational institutions, as well as the legal system’s handling of racially motivated crimes.
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