Parole board denies Alvin Petrie’s release after strong victim testimony

The Committee on Parole in Baton Rouge on May 15, 2025, denied parole for Alvin Petrie, who is serving a 17-year sentence out of Lafourche Parish. The board cited strong victim opposition and the significant lifelong impact described by a victim who testified at length.

The vote matters because the victim’s testimony detailed decades of reported harm, which the board said weighed heavily in its consideration of public-safety risk and the interests of victims. The panel also noted Petrie’s disciplinary and programming record while in custody.

Cheryl Renacci conducted the interview of Petrie, who told the board he had served about 16 years of a 17-year sentence and had completed treatment programs including offender-specific treatment in 2012. Petrie said he’d completed classes and had worked while incarcerated; he asked the board to grant parole so he could return to his family and finish supporting them.

Several family members and supporters spoke on Petrie’s behalf. His niece Kim Porter said she had regular calls with Petrie and had "seen a change in him," describing faith and program participation. Brenda Petrie, identified as a sibling, said Petrie attended church and took classes. Supporters recounted sustained mentorship connections and program participation.

The hearing included an extended victim impact statement from a woman who described long-term psychological harm dating to childhood, including diagnosed depression, PTSD, suicidal thoughts and ongoing difficulties with memory and decision-making. She described years of alleged grooming and the lasting effects of that conduct into adulthood. "For years of grooming, my subconscious has been compromised, making it hard to identify a good or bad person," the victim testified. She told the board the harm continued to affect her schooling and adult life and urged the board to deny parole.

Board members discussed Petrie’s programs and medical status; staff reported no recent write-ups and that Petrie had graduated from a transitional program in January. Despite program participation, the board concluded the severity of victim impact and opposition outweighed rehabilitative indicators. "Based on the very, very strong opposition, my vote today is to deny your parole," a board member said. Other members concurred, and the panel denied parole.

The denial keeps Petrie in custody; board members encouraged continuation of programming and noted victim-awareness work already completed. The record shows the board considered disciplinary history, program completion, victim impact testimony and community safety in reaching its decision.