Free Them, Grant Them Early Release

I'm writing of the Iowa Board of Parole. They have made 3 sorry decisions in a row!

First they voted, 4-0 with an abstention, to release Ronald Veverka from his life sentence.Veverka was convicted of 5 counts of first degree murder in the 1977 Coronado Apartment arson deaths. The 93 year old Judge in the case believes justice is best served with Veverka dying in prison...ME TOO!

Last week the Board voted 3-0, to release Phyllis Nelson. Nelson served 3 years of a first degree manslaughter conviction for the stabbing death of her husband. Even though one Board member, Karen Muehlhaupt who interviewed Nelson, didn't believe her story that her husband ran into her paring knife and died after it pierced his heart. Another Board member, Richard Bordwell, believed she minimized her involvement. The Board believed Nelson to be a model prisoner because she, among other things, taught piano to 50 inmates and wrote for the prison newspaper. ---That's enough incentive right there for me to keep her behind bars for quite a while!

Yesterday the Board began the process for the release of Pierre Pierce after only eight months of a two year term. Pierce was the University of Iowa basketball player who was suspended from the team, but received no jail time, for assault causing injury for a 2002 sexual assault on a member of the Iowa Women's basketball team. Pierce rejoined the men's team, only to be kicked off after a 2005 assault on a former girlfriend. While he was awaiting trial on the 2005 assualt and terrorizing charges, Pierce violated a no contact order by stealing a cell phone and calling his ex-girlfriend hundreds of times. The vote was 3-0, but because Pierce is considered a high risk offender, he needs 2 more votes and those two Board members weren't in attendance. Board member Karen Muehlhaupt didn't think Pierce received a strong enough sentence, but voted to release him anyway(?). Pierce plans to continue his basketball career after his release. ---He's got the criminal part of being a pro athlete down!

I'm hoping when Jim Nussle gets elected Governor, he'll appoint Parole Board members who will be on the side of the citizens.

Iowa Parole Board Members:

Elizabeth Robinson/Chair--Term expires 2010

Karen Muehlhaupt--Term expires 2010

Curtis Jenkins--Term expires 2009

Barbara Binnie--Term expires 2009

Richard Boardwell--Term expires 2008