The Edmond Sun

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March 13, 2010

Lawmakers write governor, protest parole

Mark Schlachtenhaufen The Edmond Sun

EDMOND — Two state lawmakers are urging Gov. Brad Henry to deny parole for an inmate convicted in the murder of an Edmond man, calling him a continuing threat to Oklahomans.

Henry soon will decide if Dennis Shackelford is released on parole or if he will continue to serve out a life sentence. State Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, and state Sen. Anthony Sykes, R-Moore, co-authored a letter to the governor dated March 12.

Moore Police Sgt. Jeremy Lewis is the nephew of the murder victim, Thomas Kelley, 32, of Edmond.

Last month, the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board voted 5-0 recommending that Shackelford be granted parole pending successful completion of a 120-day community level work release program. Fifteen members of Kelley’s family appeared at the hearing. Lewis spoke on behalf of the victim’s family.

“We are writing to vehemently deny the parole of convicted murderer Dennis Shackelford,” the lawmakers wrote. “We join the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office in strongly objecting to any parole consideration for Shackelford.”

The DA’s office strenuously objected to Shackelford’s release, and in a letter to the board reminded members that at about 8:20 p.m. Jan. 24, 1992, the defendant and his wife drove to Kelley’s Edmond mobile home to confront Kelley about damage to the defendant’s vehicle.

Within seconds of knocking on the victim’s door, gun shots were fired by the defendant. After shooting the victim twice and knocking him back into the trailer, the defendant stepped toward the victim and shot him a third time, when he was on the ground.

In 1992, Shackelford was convicted of first-degree murder, and began serving a life sentence, which works out to about 45 years in prison.

“Shackelford has only served 18 years of the life sentence,” the lawmakers wrote in their letter to the governor. “We believe that if paroled he presents a serious and continuing threat to the citizens of Oklahoma. We urge you to deny parole for this murderer.”

Thomas Larson, Henry’s press secretary, said the governor had not yet received the paperwork related to the parole recommendation.

In a previous report, Assistant District Attorney Cindy Truong said Shackelford has not accepted responsibility for his role in the murder, and still claims he acted in self-defense.



marks@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 108

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