ALTOONA, Pa — A 20-year murder case is resurfacing after Kenneth Leighty has served almost seven years behind bars for the murder of Sherry Leighty.
In 2013, 14 years after Sherry Leighty disappeared, her father-in-law confessed to killing her.
Kenneth Leighty was sentenced seven to 14 years after being charged with homicide.
Sherry Leighty was 23 years old at the time she disappeared. She would be celebrating her 43 birthday this month. Shelly Nagle believes that seven years behind bars for her sister’s murderer is just not enough.
"I feel it's not fair, through this whole ordeal, I’ve come to realize that criminals have rights, but where are the victims’ rights? They're no longer here. My sister should be here," Nagle says.
She says that she will always be her sisters advocate, since Sherry Leighty no longer has a voice of her own.
"Her killer was sentenced and now he is up for parole in a few months, so that is why I started the petition," Nagle says.
An online petition to keep Kenneth Leighty behind bars. It has received over 2,400 signatures in support from the community.
"I will be taking a copy to the parole board when I have my meeting in November," Nagle says.
"I think it will show that the community does not want him out. I think it was a short seven to 14 years ... He was free for over 13 years. I don't think it's fair,” she claims.
Nagle says that her family will meet with the parole board to share why they believe Kenneth Leighty should fulfill his 14-year sentence. Then, in January of 2020, she says, it will then be his turn to plead his own case.
"It's still like having to relive everything over and over again," she says.
"I’m trying to do everything in my power to keep him behind bars till he at least fills out his 14 years."
Nagle says she plans on keeping the petition open until her meeting in November.
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