Parole denied for Owen Robertson amid law-enforcement and victim opposition

Owen Robertson was denied parole following a July 15 hearing at David Wade Correctional Center after the board cited law-enforcement objections and victim opposition.

Robertson, described in the record as a fourth-felony offender serving a 40-year sentence for manslaughter, told the board he has participated in programs, leads support groups and works with other incarcerated men. Supporters including his sister and mother said he has changed and offered housing and a job opportunity if released. A representative from the Louisiana Parole Project said his organization would accept him into its reentry services.

Victim family members opposed release and questioned Robertson’s timing in accepting responsibility; one family member asked why Robertson did not admit guilt earlier and urged the board to keep him in custody for the length of the sentence. The board noted multiple law-enforcement objections, a DA letter of opposition and the district attorney’s stance. Robertson acknowledged responsibility in the hearing and said he was “truly sorry.”

Board members voting to deny cited a lengthy criminal history, limited time served relative to the sentence and the weight of law-enforcement and victim objections. The denial leaves Robertson to continue serving his sentence with record of his institutional programming noted in the file.