Parole panel denies William Muse and urges completion of additional treatment and reentry programming

The Committee on Parole denied parole to William Muse on April 9, 2025, after reviewing his record and in‑custody programming. The panel encouraged Muse to complete additional treatment and reentry courses before seeking another hearing.

Muse, identified in the record as a third‑felony offender serving a 20‑year concurrent sentence, told the panel he had completed prerelease programming, phase 1 of Living in Balance, and over 50 hours of prerelease work. He said he had a job assignment as a corrections orderly and later earned the MA counselor job classification. "I need to stay committed to the recovery process," Muse said.

Muse's mother, Maybelline Muse, and others spoke by Zoom in support of his release, outlining family support and employment plans; Maybelline said she has a housing business and expected to employ Muse after release.

Panel members said Muse had made progress but needed additional tools before release. The chair noted strong opposition from the Union Parish Sheriff's Office and the district attorney's office was referenced as likely opposing release because of the underlying convictions and victim impact. The panel recommended Muse complete additional programs — specifically Living in Balance phase two, Thinking for Change, a substance‑abuse program and, where appropriate, anger management — and reapply after completing those steps. A panel member recorded a vote to deny parole and urged Muse to reapply after completing the suggested programming.

The board recorded a denial of parole and documented recommended programming and reapplication as the path forward.