(Developing: Will be updated as warranted)
After facing searing criticism from law enforcement, the Kansas Prisoner Review Board has reversed its decision to give parole to a man who murdered a Highway Patrol trooper in 1978.
The Department of Corrections announced the decision to rescind parole for Jimmie Nelms – made last Friday – just before 6:30 p.m. Monday. The agency announced the decision without any explanation.
“I applaud the Prisoner Review Board’s decision to reverse granting parole in this case due to the fact that it was a brutal and intentional killing of a law enforcement officer,” Gov. Laura Kelly said in a statement late Monday.
“In recognition of their status as an independent entity, I thank the Prisoner Review Board for reconsidering its decision in light of the impact it had on both the victim’s family and the Kansas law enforcement community.”
On May 24, 1978, Nelms fatally shot Trooper Conroy O’Brien during a traffic stop on the Kansas Turnpike near Matfield Green. O’Brien was shot twice in the head at close range. O’Brien was 26 years old.
Nelms, now 78, was sentenced to consecutive life terms plus nine years in 1979 for unlawful possession of a firearm, aggravated kidnapping and murder in the first degree.
Nelms has been eligible for parole since 1993 and has appeared before the board nine times, having been initially granted parole after his hearing in March of this year.
The board, in a new hearing last Friday, rescinded its previous decision to grant parole and decided to deny him release at this time.
The Corrections Department’s website shows that Nelms is now jailed at the Winfield Correction Facility and is currently working in a job.
An agency spokesperson said Nelms is housed within a medium-security geriatric unit that is fenced with razor wire on the compounds of Winfield Correctional Facility.
He works as a porter in laundry.
The decision to give Nelms parole was rebuked by law enforcement with the state troopers saying that the action not only affects O’Brien’s family and friends but anyone who ever has served as Kansas State trooper.
The State Troopers Association released a statement late Monday, expressing gratitude for the board reversing its decision.
“We are grateful to the KRB for ultimately choosing justice,” said KSTA President Sage Hill.
“Trooper O’Brien gave his life in the line of duty,” Hill said.
“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.”
The Highway Patrol said it was pleased with the board’s decision.
“We are also appreciative of the governor’s attention to this matter and her continued support of issues critical to law enforcement,” the agency said.
The three-person Prisoner Review Board was created in 2011 when former Gov. Sam Brownback issued an executive reorganization order that abolished the Kansas Parole Board.
The governor does not have the power to reverse the board’s action. The board, however, is appointed by the corrections secretary and serves at the secretary’s pleasure.
The old parole board was appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the Kansas Senate.
The three current members of the Prisoner Review Board have more than 80 years of corrections experience in Kansas and nationally combined.
Two of them have been on the board for at least nine years.
