David Sheppard is out of prison after nearly 30 years, but the days leading up to his release were mired in a controversy involving Gov. Tom Wolf, Delaware County District Attorney Kat Copeland, and even Kim Kardashian, according to CBS Philly and YC.

Sheppard served 27 years for his role in the deadly shooting and robbery of Overbrook pharmacist Thomas Brannan.

He was not the shooter but was convicted for second-degree felony murder.

On Dec. 4, Sheppard was granted clemency by Pennsylvania’s Board of Pardons and Gov. Wolf.

Copeland then detained him on a charge that he stole jeans from a Springfield store in 1992.

A judge released Sheppard on Dec. 9, pending his shoplifting trial. Incoming Democratic District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said he plans to drop the charge.

Copeland said her decision to detain Sheppard was about not notifying the victim’s family before granting clemency.

“The question should be asked, what efforts were made?” she said. “Because here, there was clearly a breakdown in the system which has yet to be acknowledged.”

On Dec. 7, Kardashian weighed in, supporting the clemency decision, calling Copeland’s actions an abuse of prosecutorial authority.

Read more at YC here.

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