One of the most talked-about criminal cases in Huntington's recent memory reached another milestone Thursday, and the answer from the state was no.
The West Virginia Parole Board denied parole for Cherylethia "Bunny" Holmes, the woman convicted of ordering the 2004 killing of Wendy Morgan in Huntington. Her hearing was held Thursday, and according to the board, Holmes will not be eligible to go before it again until November 2027.
A Case Huntington Hasn't Forgotten
Holmes was convicted of arranging the murder of Wendy Morgan and was sentenced to life with mercy. Under West Virginia law, that sentence made her eligible to be considered for parole after serving 15 years.
For many in Cabell County, the case has never really faded. Morgan's death shook the community more than two decades ago, and every step of Holmes' path through the parole system has drawn close attention from people who remember it.
How We Got Here
This wasn't the first time Holmes' possible release made headlines. In 2025, the parole board had approved her for release, and she was set to walk out of prison that April. The day before, the Cabell County prosecutor went to court, arguing she had been credited with time from an earlier, separate federal sentence that shouldn't have counted toward her state murder sentence.
A Cabell County circuit judge agreed to halt the release. After a hearing in April 2025, the judge went back to the original sentencing order and ruled that Holmes would not be eligible for parole until November 2026. Holmes had not started serving her state murder sentence until November 2011.
Thursday's hearing was the first parole review under that corrected timeline, and the board decided she would stay behind bars.
What Comes Next
Holmes remains in state custody. Her next opportunity for parole is set for November 2027, when the board will consider her case again.
For Wendy Morgan's loved ones and for so many folks around Huntington who have followed this case for years, Thursday's decision means this chapter stays closed, at least for another year. We'll keep an eye on any further developments.