Parole board denies release for Zeeandre Jacobs after relatives and DA oppose early release
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Summary
The Committee on Parole denied parole to inmate Zeeandre Jacobs (DOC 447048), citing family opposition and the district attorney's recounting of a prior confession; supporters and a parole-reentry group had urged release based on program completion and reentry plans.
The Committee on Parole denied parole Feb. 4 to Zeeandre Jacobs, 447048, who is serving a 60-year sentence for manslaughter. Board member Mister Tillis said his vote would be to deny, citing law-enforcement and family opposition.
Jacobs told the panel he took “full and complete responsibility” for the killing and described years of substance abuse and subsequent rehabilitation while incarcerated. “I take full and complete responsibility for them,” he said, and added that he has focused on rehabilitation during his time at Angola.
Supporters — including Malcolm Matthews and Chris Williams — urged the board to grant Jacobs a second chance, pointing to his program certificates, steady work as a trustee and participation in STAR and victim-awareness programs. Malcolm Matthews asked the board to “consider the accomplishments of this good man and the changes he has made” and to vote unanimously in favor of release.
District Attorney Philip Terrell urged denial in a detailed factual summary of the 2005 killing, telling the panel that investigators recovered surveillance and that, when confronted the next day, Jacobs made a statement to detectives: “I don't know what came over me. I just had the urge to kill her,” Terrell said while summarizing the confession. Terrell emphasized Jacobs' past juvenile and violent record and noted the habitual-offender plea language that the DA said limits release considerations.
Angola staff told the board Jacobs had been a trustee since 2014, held a graphic-design position, earned a GED and completed substance-abuse and victim-impact programming. Parole Project representative Carrie Myers said the organization would provide transitional housing, life-skills assistance and case management if parole were granted.
Board members commended Jacobs' rehabilitation but said the seriousness of the crime, family opposition and the DA’s account weighed against early release. The panel denied parole; members urged Jacobs to continue rehabilitative programming and reapply at the next eligible opportunity.
The board adjourned its consideration of Jacobs and moved to other cases.
