Parole committee denies parole for four Louisiana inmates after victims voice opposition

The Committee on Parole denied parole for four inmates — Terrence Murphy, William Wesley, Decatur (Decatur) Crochet and David Johnson — at a meeting held March 11, 2025, in Baton Rouge and by remote connection to Dixon Correctional Institute. Cheryl Renata, chairman of the panel, presided.

The denials came after the panel heard testimony from supporters, family members and victims’ relatives, reviewed each inmate’s disciplinary record and programming, and weighed stated promises in plea agreements. The panel cited the opposition expressed by victims and family members, plea-bargain terms and, in one case, incomplete offender treatment as reasons for denial.

Terrence Murphy, serving a 40-year sentence for manslaughter sentenced in January 2007, sought parole after nearly 20 years in custody. Supporters, including Carrie Myers of the Louisiana Parole Project, told the panel Murphy has a local reentry plan and social-work support through the Parole Project. Myers said, “The board has an opportunity today, should they grant his parole, to give him the opportunity to get the services that he didn't have the last time.” Several family members of the victim spoke in opposition and described lasting harm; one speaker told the panel the family did not feel safe and could not accept his release. Chairman Cheryl Renata said she had “listened very intently” to both sides and noted that “the law has changed to make you parole eligible, but today's not the day for you based on the opposition that has been expressed in the record,” and the panel voted to deny Murphy’s parole application.

William Wesley, serving a 40-year sentence for a manslaughter conviction with parole eligibility in June 2025, also was denied. Parole Project staff and prison staff described a strong program record and a transition plan that would place Wesley with a family member who is a law-enforcement officer. Carrie Myers told the panel, “This was a crime of passion fueled by drugs and alcohol,” and urged consideration of his programming and age. Several relatives of the victim delivered impact statements describing long-term family harm and said they did not feel safe with his release. The panel cited victim opposition and the family’s statements in denying Wesley’s application.

Decatur Crochet, serving a 25-year sentence after pleading guilty to offenses from 2006 that included sexual offenses against a child, asked for parole after serving about 21 years. Supporters, including a faith-based volunteer who testified about Crochet’s spiritual growth and vocational work as a welding instructor, urged release. The panel noted that local prosecutors and law enforcement had opposed his release; the panel also noted Crochet’s completion of vocational training and a largely clean disciplinary record but denied parole, citing his plea agreement and the expressed opposition.

David Johnson, serving multiple consecutive terms that total a 60-year sentence for convictions in 2006 for sexual offenses against juveniles, was also denied. His wife and pastor spoke in support and described spiritual growth; the panel acknowledged programming completed but said Johnson had not completed required offender-treatment programming that the panel considered important to public safety and reentry planning. The panel pointed to strong opposition from the district attorney and law enforcement and denied parole.

Votes at a glance

- Terrence Murphy, 40-year sentence for manslaughter (sentenced Jan. 2007, ~20 years served): Parole denied; panel majority cited victim opposition and plea agreement expectations.

- William Wesley, 40-year sentence for manslaughter (sentenced Feb. 2006; parole eligibility June 7, 2025): Parole denied; panel cited victim impact testimony and family opposition.

- Decatur Crochet, 25-year sentence after plea for sexual offenses (sentenced Mar. 28, 2006; ~21 years served): Parole denied; panel noted prosecutors’ and law-enforcement opposition despite vocational programming.

- David Johnson, 60-year aggregate sentence for molestation convictions (sentenced 2006; parole eligibility Sept. 28, 2025): Parole denied; panel cited opposition and incomplete required offender-treatment programming.

Each applicant was told they may reapply for parole at the next eligible date. The panel recorded denials on the record and encouraged continued participation in programming and reentry planning when applicants remain eligible to reapply.

The Committee on Parole’s hearing included in-person and remote testimony from supporters and victims’ family members, staff reports on conduct and programming, and public-impact statements that the panel said it weighed heavily in its decisions.