Nearly two weeks after granting parole to one of the individuals responsible for the murder of Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Conroy O’Brien, the Kansas Prisoner Review Board has reversed its decision.
In a news release Monday, it was announced KRB rescinded its decision to grant parole to, now 78-year-old, Jimmie Nelms on May 16th. Nelms was sentenced to consecutive life terms plus nine years in 1979 following an incident in May of 1978 when O’Brien stopped a speeding vehicle.
While O’Brien was writing a citation in his vehicle, Nelms and two others approached and overpowered O’Brien, pistol-whipped him and then shot him twice in the back of his head with his own service revolver. A jury later convicted Nelms of premeditated felony murder, aggravated kidnapping and unlawful possession of a firearm. He received two life sentences in prison for murder and additional time for the firearm.
A co-defendant, Walter Myrick, was also convicted in the murder. He died in prison in 2009.
KRB granted Nelms parole on May 7 with Department of Corrections Executive Director of Public Affairs Jennifer King saying the Review Board “believes that Mr. Nelms is able and willing to fulfill the obligations of a law-abiding citizen and thinks that there is reasonable probability that Mr. Nelms can be released without detriment to the community or to himself.” KRB did not offer a statement as to the reason for its reversal, however, the decision did follow several rounds of sharp criticism including from the Kansas State Troopers Association and Highway Patrol Superintendent Colonel Erik Smith who stated ” “there is no conceivable world in which the release a convicted cop killer – an executioner – is acceptable.”
KSTA stated the decision “unfathomably…betrayed Conroy’s family and friends, his community and anyone who ever has or ever will wear the badge of a Kansas State Trooper.” Following Monday’s reversal, KSTA President, Technical Trooper Sage Hill, stated in a news release, “We are grateful to the KRB for ultimately choosing justice, Trooper O’Brien gave his life in the line of duty. Granting parole to the man responsible for that murder deeply undermined public trust and the sacrifices of every law enforcement officer. Today, justice was reaffirmed, and we are grateful. Tomorrow, we will begin working to make sure such a close call never happens again.”
