Parole committee issues mixed rulings: grants, denials, continued cases

The Committee on Parole held hearings at multiple sites on Dec. 2, 2025, and issued a series of decisions affecting inmates at several facilities.

Among the outcomes, the panel denied parole for Robert Aaron, 50, after votes were split and the board noted opposition from law-enforcement agencies; the chair explained, “So you got 2 votes that were favorable to you…and 1 that was to deny, and you know it requires a unanimous vote,” and therefore the request was denied. The committee also revoked the parole of Matthew Williams after concluding he had participated in illegal activity and remained a public-safety risk.

Several grants were approved with conditions. Tory Kerr was granted parole to a parole-project transition plan with conditions including no contact with the victim unless initiated by her and mandatory AA attendance (at least twice weekly). Lloyd Addison received a conditional grant tied to completion of intensive substance-abuse treatment and prerelease programming before transfer to the parole project. The panel granted parole in the case of Howard Fine (listed in the record with the name Gabriel) contingent on completing prerelease coursework and abiding by special conditions such as drug screening and supervision requirements.

The board continued at least one case: Brandon Guillory’s matter (which includes pending criminal charges) was continued until the underlying criminal charges are resolved. In multiple cases the committee recommended or required long-term substance-abuse treatment in lieu of or prior to parole; Mitchell Ray Colson was recommended for placement in a long-term substance-abuse facility instead of immediate revocation.

Not all votes were unanimous; several members emphasized ongoing monitoring and strict conditions. On Robert Aaron, the chair told the inmate, “Your parole has been denied. But stay the course, sir. You’ll have an opportunity to come back.” On parole grants, the committee commonly required completion of specified programming, ongoing AA participation, random drug screening and residence restrictions in particular jurisdictions (for some inmates).

Next steps vary by case: continued matters will return after criminal dispositions; those granted parole will be placed into transition plans supervised by the parole project; and denials or revocations will remain in custody pending any further administrative or court actions.

Votes at a glance - Mitchell Ray Colson (DOC 128645): Found to have violated conditions; recommendation to send to long-term substance-abuse facility rather than immediate revocation (recommendation by board). (SEG 017–SEG 155) - Brandon Guillory (DOC 632658): Serious pending criminal charges; case continued pending disposition. (SEG 156–SEG 386) - Robert Aaron (DOC 399617): Parole denied (split vote; required unanimity). (SEG 632–SEG 1310) - Tory Kerr (DOC 224264): Parole granted to Parole Project with conditions (no contact unless initiated by the victim; AA attendance; monitoring). (SEG 1865–SEG 2660) - Howard Fine (DOC 116637): Parole granted with conditions, subject to prerelease completion and supervisory conditions. (SEG 1313–SEG 1656) - David Wetzel (DOC 539779): Parole denied; board cited prior revocations and supervision concerns. (SEG 1657–SEG 1857) - Lloyd Addison (DOC 163846): Conditional grant tied to completion of long-term substance-abuse treatment and prerelease requirements. (SEG 2701–SEG 3231) - Adam Guillory (DOC 772975) at Southwest: Denied; recommendation to complete long-term substance-abuse treatment before reconsideration. (SEG 3240–SEG 3447) - Kennedy Jackson (DOC 297999): Board declined to revoke; returned to supervision and reprimanded, with instructions to avoid contact with the identified women. (SEG 3450–SEG 3649) - Matthew Williams (DOC 480215): Parole revoked; committee cited continued drug involvement and public-safety risk. (SEG 3656–SEG 3819)

Who spoke The record includes testimony from inmates, family members, counsel, facility wardens and the parole-project staff. Several members of the committee frequently took the lead in questioning and voting (identified in the transcript by their remarks and votes). Support organizations such as the Louisiana Parole Project and Louisiana Pearl Project offered transition plans and housing support for approved paroles.

What this means Some inmates received conditional pathways to reentry, generally tied to treatment, monitoring and residence plans. Others were denied or had parole revoked largely because of the severity of past offenses, outstanding criminal charges, or repeated supervision violations. Continued cases will return after criminal proceedings conclude.

The committee signaled a strong emphasis on completing treatment programming and clear supervision conditions as prerequisites for release.