Man convicted in horrific Breckinridge County rape case released from prison

Ernie Pine was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2009, after pleading guilty to multiple charges including rape and attempted murder.

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Police called the scene "one of the worst they've ever seen". Now the man convicted, Ernie Pine, has been freed from prison after serving 85-percent of his 20 year sentence.

A spokesperson with the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety cabinet confirmed his release is in line with "KRS 197.045, which included statutorily authorized application of good time and jail credits".

What happened

A woman described as a middle-aged grandmother was home alone with her grandchild, on Meadowview Lane near Hardinsburg. It was August of 2008.

According to police Ernest Pine was her neighbor. On that day he came into her house, cut her, stabbed her and sexually assaulted her. Her attorney would later describe her injuries are "significant injuries to her fingers, neck, back, knees and scars across her face and neck that are irreparable." Her grandchild was not hurt.

Remarkably, the victim survived and was airlifted to University Hospital in Louisville, where she recovered.

The victim was able to identify Pine has the perpetrator and police said they found him quickly, at his home right across the street. He was arrested and charged with attempted murder, rape, sodomy and burglary.

The court case

The horrific attack quickly gained media coverage, and the following spring Pine's attorneys were fighting to move his trial from Breckinridge County and surrounding areas to find a fair and impartial jury.

By June, the prosecution had offered a plea deal and Pine accepted. He pleaded guilty to rape, attempted murder, burglary, assault, sodomy, and criminal mischief in exchange for 20 years in prison.

According to Kentucky Online Offender Lookup, the 75-year-old was released Tuesday, after 17 years served. He is now serving five years under the supervision of Probation and Parole.

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