FRANKFORT, Ky. (WMDJ) — The Kentucky Court of Appeals has upheld a Floyd Circuit Court ruling denying post-conviction relief sought by a Floyd County man serving a life sentence for a 1989 murder.

In a decision issued July 17, the Court of Appeals affirmed the denial of a CR 60.02 motion filed by Michael Lee Crisp, who was convicted of murdering Ricky Hall in Floyd County in 1989 and sentenced to life in prison.

Crisp argued that his judgment was no longer equitable because his indictment incorrectly classified the murder charge as a Class A felony rather than a capital offense. He also argued that after the Kentucky Parole Board later ordered him to serve out the remainder of his life sentence, he should be resentenced.

The Court of Appeals concluded the claims either had already been litigated or could have been raised in earlier proceedings, making them improper for relief under CR 60.02. The court also cited a 2024 Kentucky Supreme Court decision confirming the Parole Board has the authority to issue serve-out decisions for inmates serving life sentences.

According to the opinion, Crisp became eligible for parole after serving 12 years and was considered for parole multiple times before the board ultimately ordered him to serve the remainder of his sentence. The appellate court concluded the Floyd Circuit Court properly denied his request for relief.

According to the Kentucky Online Offender Lookup, Crisp is currently serving his life sentence at the Little Sandy Correction Complex in Sandy Hook.