College Student Pleads Guilty After Using N-Word 200 Times in Attack

A former University of Kentucky student, Sophia Rosing, has pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including assault, after a disturbing incident involving a Black schoolmate occurred in 2022. Rosing, 23, admitted to four counts of fourth-degree assault, one count of disorderly conduct, and one count of public intoxication, as reported by the Lexington Herald-Leader.

The incident took place while Rosing was intoxicated and is infamous for being captured on video, which later circulated widely on social media. The victim, Kylah Spring, worked at a residence hall on campus during the altercation. The footage showed Rosing striking Spring several times and kicking her in the stomach. Throughout the video, Rosing could be heard using racial slurs, including calling Spring the n-word and derogatory names around 200 times.

In the wake of the incident, Rosing was indicted by a grand jury on six counts, as stated by WKYT. Following the attack, the University of Kentucky swiftly banned Rosing from campus and declared her ineligible to re-enroll.

University president Eli Capilouto addressed the situation in a video, emphasizing the importance of community accountability in preventing racist violence. “As a community working wholeheartedly to prevent racist violence, we also must be committed to holding people accountable for their actions. The processes we have in place are essential,” he stated.

Rosing could face up to a year in jail and is required to complete 100 hours of community service, according to her attorney, Fred Peters. It was reported that Rosing made the decision to plead guilty following a mediation session with Spring.

“A lot of things got said, apologies were made, and we worked it out,” Peters remarked. He noted that Rosing had taken the time to reflect on her actions and even penned a letter of apology.

However, Spring’s perspective on the mediation differed significantly. She expressed doubts regarding Rosing’s sincerity, stating, “I feel that a person that is remorseful takes actions that are moving towards proving they are remorseful. Not just words.” This illustrates the tension between the legal proceedings and the personal impact of the incident.

Spring took the opportunity during the mediation to communicate with Rosing directly. She conveyed a strong message, affirming, “I told her that she didn’t break my spirit.” This sentiment was echoed from her initial comments made soon after the incident, indicating that her resolve remains intact.

Initially, Rosing had pleaded not guilty during her arraignment in November 2022. With her guilty plea now entered, the focus shifts to the upcoming sentencing hearing, set for October 17, where the court will determine the extent of her penalties.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing issues of racial violence and the importance of accountability in such instances. The public continues to watch closely as the judicial process unfolds, reflecting broader societal attitudes towards racism and violence.