An Eastern Kentucky man who has spent many years on death row for the murder of an elderly man could be spared the death penalty.

The Harlan Daily Enterprise reports Hugh Marlow is awaiting a possible plea offer, which could lessen his sentence. Marlow was convicted and has served nearly 27 years for the 1981 murder of 78 year old Henry Hamblin in Dartmont. His sentence was overturned in 2001 after his attorney argued his previous attorney in the murder case made mistakes in the trial. A special judge is giving attorneys until October 3rd to agree on a sentence, or a jury could decide.