Cop-killer’s sister writes to board, asks that he not be paroled (NM)

The Albuquerque Journal ^ | March 12, 2015 | Patrick Lohmann

[CedarDave]

The state parole board has received 500 letters in anticipation of a hearing today over whether convicted cop-killer Joel Lee Compton will be released from prison.

But to the widow of Albuquerque police officer Gerald Cline – who Compton shot and killed 32 years ago – one particular letter stands out.

“We were very touched, and we appreciate it,” said Yolanda Cline. “You’re not defined by what your relatives did. You can’t choose them.”

In fewer than 200 words, Sharron Compton, sister of Joel Lee Compton, spells out why her brother should not be released from prison despite three decades of incarceration. She calls her brother a “bad man” who would wreak “havoc on what is left of his family,” if released. It’s the first time she or any other of Compton’s family members have publicly addressed their relative’s crime, Cline and Sharron Compton said.

Compton said she decided to write to the parole board after recently learning that her brother would soon have his second parole board hearing. New Mexico prisoners sentenced to life in prison serve a mandatory sentence of 30 years and then become eligible for parole board hearings every two years afterward. He was denied parole in February 2013.

“It just came to my attention that he was coming up for parole. … It made me think of officer Cline’s wife, and that I should apologize to her for what my brother did,” Compton said in a recent phone interview. “My brother hasn’t showed remorse, but the family has remorse. My mom and dad had remorse, and, to be honest, I can see him doing it.”

[CedarDave]

This cop-killer was on death row when liberal Dem Governor Tony Anaya commuted his sentence (and that of four others) to life as he was preparing to leave office in 1986. Ms. Compton said his life of crime was a result of his own bad choices; their family had financial problems but he had a stable upbringing.

[CedarDave]

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[CedarDave]

Most of the time the relatives write to the parole board or plead to a judge for a reduction of sentence. Too many times we hear “He’s a good boy; he loves his mama.” Here a sister says he’s bad and would be a menace to society for him to be released, even after 30-years in prison.

[American Quilter]

Good for Yolanda Compton—nice to see someone who doesn’t blindly defend a murderous relative.

[Drango]

unrelated but

FRY MUMIA

[American Quilter]

Oops—I should have written “Sharron”, not “Yolanda.”

[Salamander]

LOL

[webheart]

More than likely the sister is concerned that her brother might want to come live at her house. I have two brothers that I sure wouldn’t want to live in the same city as me, let alone the same house.

[gr8eman]

I hear ya! Problem is...they might let this guy out. I predict the sis disappears one way or the other if that happens!

[WayneS]

Wow. That’s powerful stuff.

This guy sounds like a total jerk - but I bet if you took the time to get to know him you’d find out he’s a complete a$$hole.

[leapfrog0202]

Good for her! Someone is stepping up and saying what needs to be said. I so hope they don’t release him. I wonder how Tony Anaya would think about his actions if a member of his family had been killed.