After more than three decades of service in the legal field, Judge Jay Wethington has retired as Division 1 Circuit Judge for the 6th Judicial Circuit, effective Feb. 28, 2025. His decision follows a distinguished career that included time as a prosecutor, private attorney, and judge.
Wethington, an Owensboro native, initially worked as a journalist covering trials in Atlanta before deciding to pursue law. He earned his degree from Chase Law School at Northern Kentucky University and also took classes at the University of Cincinnati. He also studied at The Hague Academy of International Law in the Netherlands.
“I liked it, I was good at it, and the members of the bar asked me to run,” Wethington said. “People knew I liked it.”
He spent 12 years in private practice at Connor, Neal & Stevenson before serving as Commonwealth’s Attorney for 14 years. During that time, he prosecuted numerous cases, including several high-profile murder trials, and served as a special prosecutor for the Attorney General.
Some of his proudest accomplishments involved shaping Kentucky law. One case he cited, Commonwealth v. Hahn, led to a change in the legal definition of rape to include acts involving a foreign object. He also played a role in establishing laws that allow prosecutors to charge individuals with homicide if they provide drugs that result in a fatal overdose. Additionally, Wethington helped create a law granting the Commonwealth the right to appeal rulings.
“My office not only upheld the law but helped change it and even create new laws,” Wethington said.
In his tenure as judge, he particularly enjoyed presiding over adoption cases.
“Adoptions were always a great part of the job because everyone entered the courtroom happy and left even happier,” he said.
Wethington also helped establish Owensboro’s drug court program and oversaw it for seven years. Owensboro was one of the first in the state to implement such a program, which aims to rehabilitate non-violent offenders struggling with substance abuse.
His retirement came after careful consideration, particularly regarding the timing. He said he delayed his departure until after the election to ensure it did not impact the process. Now, the decision on his successor falls to Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, following recommendations from a local committee and the state Supreme Court.
Reflecting on his career, Wethington emphasized the importance of collaboration.
“It’s more than just sitting on a bench,” he said. “You have to work with the sheriff’s office, police department, jailer, and many others. It’s important to get people to work together.”
As he transitions into retirement, Wethington looks forward to traveling with his wife and spending time with his children, who are heading off to college.
His official resignation letter to Chief Justice Debra Hembree Lambert reflected the challenges he faced following an injury in 2024.
“Since my injuries and rehabilitation experienced in March 2024, I was assuming rehabilitation would bring me back to full capacity. I now realize that my expectations and hopes were too high, and I remain unable to resume my duties as Circuit Judge to the extent I know the position requires, with little hope of improvement. I hereby resign my position as Circuit Judge for the 6th Judicial Circuit, Division 1, effective February 28, 2025.”
He expressed concerns about the judiciary becoming increasingly political, and was proud of the relationship he formed with the press.
“It’s a partisan role but not a partisan job – it shouldn’t ever be political,” he said. “I always thought it was my job to educate the public, just like the press. It’s important for the public to understand how the system works.
Though his time on the bench has ended, Wethington’s impact on Kentucky’s legal landscape will remain for years to come.
