Kentucky Man Convicted in 2015 Stabbing Death Released From Prison, Expert Explains Insanity Verdict
WOODFORD COUNTY, Kentucky — Nearly a decade after the stabbing death of 6-year-old Logan Tipton, the man convicted in the case has been released from prison, reigniting anger from the victim’s family and sparking new debate over Kentucky’s insanity statute.
Ronald Exantus Released
Records from the Kentucky Department of Corrections confirm that Ronald Exantus, convicted in 2018 for stabbing Logan to death in his bedroom and injuring the boy’s father and two sisters, is out of custody. Exantus had been sentenced to 20 years in prison on charges of assault, though a jury found him not guilty of murder by reason of insanity.
Father Still Questions Justice System
Logan’s father, Dean Tipton, who subdued Exantus the night of the attack, told WKYT he still struggles to comprehend the verdict.
“In the United States, we are innocent until proven guilty. I understand that. But what was there to prove? I caught him. He didn’t make it out of my house. He admitted it to the detectives,” Tipton said.
He added that explaining the ruling to his children was one of the most painful experiences of his life. “They’re saying, ‘Well, how is he innocent from the murder? We watched him do it. We watched him kill my brother. Why is he innocent?’ That’s our judicial system’s telling you that he’s innocent,” Tipton said.
Expert Explains the Insanity Defense
Dr. Dustin Wygant, an Eastern Kentucky University professor and Executive Director of Integrated Behavioral Health, explained how the insanity statute applied in Exantus’ case.
“It’s an affirmative defense, which means that the defendant has to say, ‘I did the crime. I did the thing that I’m charged with. But when it occurred, I had some type of mental condition,’” Wygant said.
The Kentucky Supreme Court upheld the jury’s split verdict, finding the jury could have reasonably believed Exantus was lucid during parts of the attacks but legally insane at the time of Logan’s killing.
“The jury felt there was sufficient evidence that his mental state at the time of the murder was enough to find him not guilty by reason of insanity. That meant he lacked substantial ability to either appreciate his criminality or conform his behavior to the requirements of law,” Wygant said.
Supervision Until 2026
The Tipton family confirmed Exantus will serve six months of parole in Florida before returning under probation supervision until June 2026, when his sentence officially expires. The Department of Corrections has not clarified whether he will remain in Florida for the full period.
The release of Ronald Exantus has renewed painful memories for the Tipton family, who continue to question whether justice was served for Logan. For more updates on Kentucky court cases and public safety, follow ChicagoMusicGuide.com.