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Victim opposition, plea bargain and limited programming lead parole board to deny Paul Farinas
Summary
Paul Farinas, serving a negotiated sentence for a fatality, was denied parole after the victim's family and the Jefferson Parish assistant DA urged the board to keep him incarcerated; board members cited the plea, the crime's severity and limited rehabilitative programming.
Paul Farinas (DLC 172985) appeared remotely before the Committee on Parole seeking early release after serving about 20 of a 30‑year sentence under a negotiated plea. The board heard statements from the victim’s mother, who described the lasting harm to the family, and from Randall Myers, assistant district attorney for Jefferson Parish, who opposed release.
Myers told the panel the plea disposed of a “violent, intentional, and carefully planned murder” and said the record — including the negotiated sentence — weighed against parole. Farinas told the board he had participated in classes and mentoring while incarcerated and described personal change, saying he was "a different person" now. The board questioned the applicant and reviewed both letters of support and the victim’s opposition.
Board members concluded the seriousness of the underlying offense, the negotiated plea and the expressed victim opposition meant Farinas should not be paroled at this time. Mister Prater said the combination of the plea and the nature of the crime left him with no question about his vote: to deny parole. The panel’s recorded vote denied Farinas’ request; the denial was entered into the record and will be reflected in the case file.
The board did not order specific programming beyond encouraging continued participation but cited opposition and public‑safety concerns as central to the decision. Farinas may petition for reconsideration at a later date consistent with parole procedures and completed programming.
