LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Editor's note: If you believe you are a victim of Jamey Noel, Special Prosecutor Ric Hertel asks you to fill out a victim impact form found here.
First responders who've worked for New Chapel EMS, Clark County residents who had to wait a long time for an ambulance, and anyone else who feels directly or indirectly impacted by Jamey Noel's alleged crimes have been told to line up.
Judge Larry Medlock wants them to weigh-in at Noel's sentencing and say if they believe 15 years and $3 million is a fair sentence.
"Victims...have rights. And I'd like to hear from some of the victims, or a lot of the victims, at a date in the future. In regards to whether they believe this is an appropriate sentence," Medlock said.
Noel changed his plea to "guilty" on 27 of his 31 charges Monday. Before it becomes official, Medlock wants to hear from impacted people.
During Monday's hearing, Medlock asked special prosecutor Ric Hertel "Who can they call?" Hertel is officially the Ripley County prosecutor, about 50 miles west of Cincinnati, and gave their office number: (812) 689-6331
There were a few issues with that number on Tuesday. Hertel told WHAS11 over text that he doesn't know if they tracked the total number of people who called. He also said, "I'm going to put a little thought into a more efficient process."
Crystal Blevins, a current paramedic with New Chapel EMS, said she tried to call the number and felt she was the first one. She said the person who picked up the phone didn't know the number was published and asked to take down her information.
"I hope that the judge listens to what everybody says," Jordan Boulard said, another paramedic with New Chapel EMS.
Last night in an exclusive interview on the WHAS11 NightTeam, Boulard and Blevins talked about if they will call the number, and if they think 15 years is a fair sentence.
"I don't think it's enough," Boulard said about the plea deal. "We as employees at New Chapel have gone through ISP raids, we've gone through questioning, our office doors being broken-in at our stations."
Blevins said people who had to wait a long time for an ambulance because of lack of resources and staffing at New Chapel EMS should feel even more emboldened to speak.
"While I don't feel like I'm a personal victim of that, the citizens are. And I hope that they do take this opportunity to come forward," Blevins said.
Karl Price is a former prosecutor in Jefferson County, Kentucky and a Kentucky lawyer for over 30 years. He says the $2.8 million to Utica Township Volunteer Firefighters Association (the official name for New Chapel) in the plea agreement will weigh heavily on the judge.
"EMS is laying off individuals because of budget problems," Price said. "I cannot imagine that that would not impact the judge in this particular case. And so the real question becomes whether 15 years is adequate for all the harm."
The department will soon lose all four of its public contracts that it previously had for first responding work. After significant downsizing, it's unclear what exactly UTVFA would do with that money if the plea agreement is granted, and Noel is able to repay it all.
► Contact FOCUS investigator/reporter Travis Breese at tbreese@whas11.com, or on Twitter.
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