Legislators ask board to deny parole
A Madison lawmaker has joined more than 25 of her colleagues in signing a letter asking the state Parole Board to rescind parole for a convicted teenage murderer.
State Rep. Jill Ford, a Republican from Madison, was one of 27 signatures on the letter.
“As law-abiding and concerned citizens,” the letter begins, “it is with great consternation and trepidation that we feel the need to write this letter in support of the family, the life-time victims of James Williams, Ill, who has been granted parole by this board.”
Williams, 38, is serving two life sentences for murder. He was convicted of murdering James Williams, Jr., his father and Cindy Lassiter Mangum, his stepmother, in 2002 in south Jackson.
He was convicted and sentenced in 2005 in a Hinds County Circuit Court to serve two life sentences without the possibility of parole. He was 17 at the time he committed the crimes.
Williams is set to be released next week on May 16, following the decision by the Parole Board.
The letter is dated May 1, and is addressed to Mississippi Parole Board Chairman Jeffrey Belk.
“We feel it would be a miscarriage of justice and contrary to the best interest of the citizens of the state of Mississippi,” the letter says. “As well as the two victim’s families, to grant parole. We urge the Mississippi Parole Board to rescind the parole order for James Williams, III.”
The letter argues the crime was premeditated. It cites the fact that Williams poisoned, shot and dismembered his victims.
“It is our contention that justice requires that Williams pay the penalty imposed at sentencing for the heinous crime he admittedly committed,” The letter reads. “His 17-year-old self knew that murder was wrong but did it anyway. His victims are two-fold, those he shot and dismembered, and those who live daily with the loss of family he took away.”
Ford referenced a statement released by Rep. Becky Currie, a fellow signatory on the letter, asking for more transparency in such parole decisions.
“I would appreciate Mississippians being informed on how the board has decided that he is now ready to be released into our communities,” Currie said.
Currie wondered if decisions like this from the parole board did not warrant further scrutiny from state lawmakers.
“If the Board continues to make decisions like this the Legislature will have no choice but to get involved,” Currie wrote.