A Lexington man previously convicted of killing Lexington police officer is back behind bars after authorities say he was involved in a recent stabbing and robbery incident in North Lexington.
Suspect Charged in Stabbing, Robbery Case
Police arrested Glenn Doneghy, 49, on Tuesday in connection with a March 29 stabbing near a gas station in the 700 block of North Broadway.
According to investigators, Doneghy allegedly followed a man from the gas station into a nearby alley near West Seventh Street around 11 p.m. When confronted, police say Doneghy stabbed the victim twice in the back.
The victim was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Additional Robbery Allegations
Authorities say Doneghy returned to the same gas station four days later, where he was caught shoplifting. When confronted by the store manager, he allegedly made threats to “shoot this place up.”
Employees told police Doneghy had a history of theft at the store, and surveillance footage reportedly showed he had stolen items on the day of the stabbing as well.
Doneghy now faces charges of:
- First-degree assault
- Second-degree robbery
Prior Conviction in Officer’s Death
Doneghy’s arrest has drawn renewed attention due to his past conviction in the 2010 death of Bryan Durman, a member of the Lexington Police Department.
Durman, a 27-year-old officer, was struck and killed in a hit-and-run while responding to a noise complaint. He was the first Lexington officer killed in the line of duty in 25 years.
In 2011, Doneghy was convicted of second-degree manslaughter and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Early Release and Legal Changes
Despite the sentence, Doneghy was released in May 2019 after serving less than half of his term. His release included earned time credits and additional time off under Kentucky’s mandatory reentry supervision program.
The program has faced criticism and renewed scrutiny, leading lawmakers to pass stricter eligibility rules, recently signed into law by Andy Beshear on April 2, 2026.
Following Officer Durman’s death, Kentucky also enacted a law requiring individuals convicted of killing a police officer or firefighter to serve at least 85% of their sentence.
Victim’s Family Reacts
Durman’s widow expressed frustration over Doneghy’s early release, saying the justice system failed to reflect the value of her husband’s life.
Court Proceedings Ahead
Court records indicate Doneghy had no new charges between his 2019 release and the recent incidents. He is currently being held at the Fayette County Detention Center, with a court appearance scheduled this week.
Key Takeaways:
- Suspect charged in Lexington stabbing and robbery
- Victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries
- Accused previously convicted in police officer’s death
- Released early in 2019 under supervision program
- Case raises renewed concerns over early release policies
Authorities continue to investigate the case as Doneghy awaits his initial court appearance.