Former University of Kentucky Student Sentenced For A Racist Attack On A Black Student

Sophia Rosing's mugshotPhoto bySophia Rosing/Fayette County Detention Center

A former University of Kentucky student who went viral for hurling racial slurs at a Black student working at a dorm front desk has been given a one-year prison sentence, a Fayette County Circuit Court clerk reveals.

People Magazine reports that the court clerk confirms that Sophia Rosing, 23, was sentenced to 12 months in jail on Thursday, Oct. 17, by Fayette Circuit Court Court Judge Lucy Vanmeter for the November 2022 incident.

In August, Rosing admitted guilt to four counts of fourth-degree assault, one count of disorderly conduct, and one count of alcohol intoxication. Court records show one of the fourth-degree assault counts was for kicking and biting a police officer's hand.

The judge also ordered Rosing to do 100 hours of community service and pay a $25 fine.

The incident, which gained national attention after going viral, occurred on Nov. 6, 2022. Rosing, then a senior, was seen attacking Kyla Spring, a 19-year-old freshman working the night shift at the dorm's front desk.

A police report stated Rosing was "very intoxicated" when she entered the campus residence hall without ID, CBS News reported.

When Spring asked if she was okay, Rosing began verbally and physically attacking her, police said, according to WKYT.

The video shows Spring remaining calm as Rosing pushed her and yelled slurs. Rosing was arrested that night and initially pleaded not guilty. The university president later expelled Rosing and banned her from campus.

In February 2023, a grand jury indicted Rosing on six counts, including assault and public intoxication.

After the incident, University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto praised Spring's "professionalism, restraint and discretion" in a letter to the university.

In a 2022 interview with CBS Mornings, Spring explained she knew she had to stay calm despite Rosing's verbal and physical attacks.

"I wanted to make sure I acted appropriately to keep my job because the script could have been flipped at any time if I had retaliated," Spring said.

Rosing's lawyer, Fred Peters, said the sentence was "unfairly harsh" and "excessive for a first-time offense with no serious injuries." He added, "Sophia was extremely intoxicated. We'd appeal if possible, but I don't think we have grounds."

At her sentencing, Rosing apologized in court, claiming she had never used the N-word before and wouldn't use it again. Rosing is currently held in the Fayette County Detention Center.

The judge handed down a 12-month prison sentence for each of the four counts, to be served concurrently.

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