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Parole denied for Keith Turner as panel cites severity, prosecutorial opposition
Summary
Keith D. Turner (DOC 128948) was denied parole Sept. 18 after the panel weighed victim impact, past convictions and opposition from local prosecutors and parole board staff.
RAYMOND LABORDE CORRECTIONAL CENTER, La. — The Committee on Parole denied parole Sept. 18 for Keith D. Turner (DOC 128948), who is serving concurrent and consecutive sentences related to manslaughter and armed robbery convictions. Chair Carolyn Stapleton and Commissioners recorded a majority vote to deny parole; the panel noted strong opposition from the district attorneys in Allen and Calcasieu parishes and that Turner had served approximately 73% of a part of his time but substantially less of his overall aggregated term.
Turner, who stated he became involved in the 1992 offense as a young man and expressed remorse, described a history of substance use and solitary confinement that he said prompted personal change. Supporters including family members and representatives from the Louisiana Parole Project described program participation, vocational training and a reentry plan. "He's continued the same path," Carrie Myers of the Louisiana Parole Project said, noting available residential reentry support.
Opponents — including family members of victims — urged denial on the grounds that the crimes were violent and that Turner had previously pled down a first-degree murder charge to manslaughter. Commissioners referenced the seriousness of the offenses and law enforcement opposition in explaining their votes. The board recorded two denials and one vote to grant; the combined effect was to deny parole because a unanimous affirmative was required to grant in this case. The panel's decision was announced at the close of the hearing.
