TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2000 B2 COLUMBUS LEDGER- -ENQUIRER 25 percent return to of parolees to state prisons "We don't let anybody out that we don't think is ready. There are things we can't see and there are things that the inmate can't see." Johnnie Johnson Alabama parole board chairman Sometimes parolees were sent back to jail for taking drugs or losing contact with parole officers. Sometimes they were arrested for misdemeanors and other times they committed brutal crimes. The exact number of Alabama parolees who returned to prison after committing new crimes is unclear because parole officials declined to release complete information on the criminals. Corrections records show that at least 237 parolees were sentenced for felonies they committed while on parole.
The corrections data does not show parolees held at county jails, those convicted of misdemeanors, those awaiting trial on charges or those sentenced to alternative programs for other convictions. Parole Board Chairman Johnnie Johnson Jr. said members carefully considered each of the 6,100 paroles granted during the past three years, including those for criminals later sent back to jail. "We don't let anybody out that we don't think is ready," he said. "There are things we can't see and there are things that the inmate can't see." Miriam Shehane, president of Alabama Victims of Crime and Leniency, said board members don't see the obvious.
"They do have a crystal Study: Most of 1,505 returned to prison had previous parole problems or prison terms Associated Press MONTGOMERY, Ala. Records show Alabama's parole board made good decisions three-fourths of the time in the past three years when they released inmates early, but 1,505 parolees got locked up again. The 1,505 parolees sent back to prison included violent criminals, thieves and drug dealers, according to a Birmingham News analysis of Department of Corrections and Parole Board records. Three-fourths of the 1,505 parolees sent back to prison since August 1997 had histories of parole suspensions or revocations, or had prior convictions, the analysis found. Parole Board members released them anyway.
Inmates who have had trouble with parole or who have served previous prison terms are much more likely to violate parole, said Allen Beck, a researcher with the U.S. Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Statistics. National studies show that as many as 80 percent of those inmates return to jail, Beck said. "What we've seen is a very consistent rate of failure," Beck said. "It's a very good indicator." State records show that indicator didn't stop the Parole Board from granting early release for 1,126 inmates with past parole problems and prison terms.
ball," she said. "They can look at their A 1997 count of the nation's corrections population showed about 17 percent of Alabama inmates paroled that year ended up back in jail by the end of the year, compared with 13 percent for other states that responded to the survey, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Alabama parole officials declined to release complete data showing why parolees were sent back to prison. State officials also do not submit complete parole data to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, which compiles information voluntarily submitted by states. Data provided by the Corrections Department shows that since August 1997, 237 parolees were sentenced for felony crimes committed while on early release.
One attempted murder. Three months after the board paroled Andre Anthony in August 1997, he stabbed Tracy Keller repeatedly in Geneva County. Gov. Don Siegelman wants to abolish the parole board. Siegelman and Alabama Attorney General Bill Pryor advocate rewriting the state's sentencing laws, requiring criminals to serve most of their terms.
Most inmates now can get out after serving a third or less of their sentence. Court brief defends test law Groups support Alabama law on English-only driver's tests Associated Press WASHINGTON Three English-language advocacy groups have joined a lawsuit headed to the Supreme Court that could determine whether Alabama violated a woman's rights by denying her a Spanish driver's test. The groups filed the "friend-of-the-court" brief Monday, along with several members of Congress the court might interpret federal civil rights laws too broadly. Alabama Republicans Bob Riley and Spencer Bachus are among those listed. Supporters of the brief contend Alabama properly denied Mexican native Martha Sandoval a different exam because constitutional protections barring discrimination based on national origin don't apply to language.
Alabamians overwhelmingly approved an English-only amendment in 1990, effectively changing the state's longstanding policy of providing driver's exams in numerous tongues. But last November, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta upheld a lower court ruling striking down the Alabama amendment as a violation of federal law. The Supreme Court will hear arguments next January and could rule by June. "You can't change what country your ancestors came from, but you can learn a new language," said Barnaby Zall, an attorney representing Pro: English, the English First Foundation, and the Center for American Unity in the lawsuit. The groups argue the 11th Circuit essentially created a new civil right with its ruling.
Bob Park, chairman of ProEnglish, called that action a "repudiation of democracy and the fundamental right of American citizens to govern themselves." Jim Boulet of the English First Foundation predicted the United States could end up with more than 300 official languages. Driver's exams and road signs would be subject to numerous translations, he said. "Do you really want somebody tooling down the road at 85 mph, looking up at one of those overhead signs, and leafing through a dictionary to see what it means?" Boulet said. But Richard Cohen, a Southern Poverty Law Center attorney representing Sandoval, said Alabama is the only state that doesn't offer driver's tests in different languages, even though almost half have passed pro-English amendments. But Rep.
Bob Barr, who signed the brief, insisted the case does present a threat. "If people coming up here can't speak English, that means more than simply following road signs. They won't understand the laws of our country or Alabama." POLICE AND FIRE Shooting investigation nets two more arrests Police arrested two more Avery, initially was charged dead. men Saturday wanted in with possession of cocaine. Two masked men armed connection with the Nov.
6 Following further with handguns entered slaying of a 19-year-old man investigation, Avery was Wendy's, 1714 S. College St. in Opelika, Ala. charged with murder, in Auburn, shortly after 3 Sylvester Vann, 28, of Harrison said. a.m.
Saturday and took an Auburn, and Bernard Pierson, Jones died after he was undisclosed amount of money of Tuskegee, were being held shot shot during a home before leaving, said Auburn without bond Monday in Lee invasion. police Sgt. Bill Ramsey. County Jail, charged with Because Jones died during On Nov. 7, two masked murder and robbery in the a robbery, the three men men shot the manager of a death of Broderic Leon Jones, could face the death penalty, Wendy's restaurant in of 1807 York Ave.
in Opelika, Harrison said. Opelika before escaping with said Opelika police Capt. an undisclosed amount of Melvin Harrison. Police exploring cash. The manager, Thomas About 2:30 p.m.
Nov. 6, Patrick Hughes IV, 38, died of Jones' family members called link in robberies a single gunshot wound to police to his residence after worked the head. Jones was felled by multiple Auburn, police "We are working with gunshot wounds, Harrison with Opelika investigators if Opelika police trying to make said. Nearing York Avenue, Monday to determine a a determination if the two are police arrested an 18-year-old weekend armed restaurant robbery is linked a connected," RAnsey said. of Auburn man they spotted fast-food from the area.
to a Nov. 7 robbery in running Kennis Lee Opelika that left one man S. Thorne Harper The man, OBITUARIES LOCAL AREA DEATHS BEARD, Camilla White, 80, Greenville, died Sunday. Smith-Steele-Meadows Funeral Home, Woodbury, Ga. CAIN, Charlie 80, Valley, died Monday.
McCarthy Funeral Home, West Point, Ga. CLEGG, Rosa Boland, 84, Columbus, died Sunday. Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, Macon Road Chapel, Columbus. DENT, Rickey, 48, Columbus, died Sunday. People's Funeral Service of Columbus.
LOONEY, Ora Lee, 77, LaGrange, died Sunday. Hunter Funeral Home, LaGrange. PECE, Juanita Griggs, 76, Smiths, died Sunday. Colonial Funeral Home, Phenix City. PIJNENBURG, Hubert "Dutch," 66, LaGrange, died Saturday.
Hunter-Allen-Myhand Funeral Home, LaGrange. For a list of all death notices from the last week visit and click on the "Obituaries" link. Juanita Griggs Pece April 24, 1924 November 12, 2000 PHENIX CITY, AL- Mrs. Juanita Griggs Pece, 76, of Phenix City, AL, died Sunday, November 12, 2000 in Smiths, AL. Graveside services will be held 3:00 pm Thursday, November 16, 2000 at Girard Cemetery with the Father Tom Weise officiating according to Colonial Funeral Home.
A rosary will be said Wednesday evening at 6:00 pm at the funeral home. Mrs. Pece was born April 24, 1924 in Russell County, AL, the daughter of the late Warnie Lawerence and Wil- son G. Griggs. She worked at Kirven's Department Store for 35 years.
Mrs. Pece was a member of St. Patrick's Church. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Buck Ferrell and Alfred F. Pece, son Norman "Bubba" Ferrell and sister Mary Griggs Longshore.
Survivors include one daughter Ann Ferrell Bailey and son-in-law, Larry Eubanks, of Smiths, AL; grandchildren, Jamie Farrell, Jared Ferrell, Joseph Ferrell, Megan Ferrell, Michael Floyd Hamilton, Charles Norman Roberts, Darrell Ferrell, and Sonya Ann Ferrell; three great-grandchildren. Rosa Boland Clegg July 26, 1916 November 12, 2000 COLUMBUS, GA Mrs. Rosa Boland Clegg, 84, of Columbus, GA died Sunday, November 12, 2000 at Pine Manor Nursing Home. Graveside funeral services will be held 1:00 pm Wednesday, November 15, 2000 in Parkhill Cemetery, according to Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, Macon Road. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6:00 8:00 pm tonight.
Mrs. Clegg was born July 26, 1916 in Buena Vista, GA, daughter of the late George and Mary Etta Urquhart Boland. She was a lifelong area resident and a member St. Mark United Methodist Church. She was a member the Rebekah's and the Order of the Eastern Star.
Mrs. Clegg was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Mitchell Clegg, and by son, Joseph Mitchell Clegg, Jr. Survivors include her daughter, Linda Clegg McLendon; grandchildren, Lisa Torbert (Chip), Steve McLendon (Penny) and Heather McLendors and two great-grandchildren, Mitchell and Meg Torbert, all of Columbue Dorrie Mercer September 10, November PHENIX CITY, AL rie Johnson Mercer, 1302 6th Place Johnson 1916 10, 2000 Mrs. Dor84, of South Apt. L-3 Edmond Estates, Phenix City, AL, died Friday, November 10, 2000 at The Medical Center Hospital.
Funeral services will be held 2:30 pm EST Wednesday, November 15, 2000 at St. Ellis Baptist Church in Marvyn, AL. Burial will follow in the church cemetery, according to Taylor Funeral Home, Phenix City, AL. Visitation will be today from 12:00 Noon until 9:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Mrs. Mercer was born September 10, 1916 in Russell County, AL, the daughter of the late Rosezella Johnson and Edward Jones. She was a homemaker and a member of the St. Ellis Baptist Church, Marvyn, AL. Survivors include two sons, William Ausby of Opelika, AL and Herman Ausby of Columbus, GA; a daughter, Constance Lewis of Phenix City, AL; and two grandchildren.
Effie Maude co*kley November 10, 2000 COLUMBUS, GA- Mrs. Effie Maude co*kley, of 5131 Warm Springs Columbus, died Friday, November 10, 2000 at the Medical Center. Funeral services will be 11:00 am Wednesday, November 15, 2000 000 at Sconiers Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Fort Benning Cemetery, Ft. Benning, GA.
Visitation will be today from 12:00 noon until 7:00 pm. Mrs. co*kley was born in Georgetown, GA, the daughter of Robert and Mollie Williams, she was a homemaker and a member of the St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church. While active at St.
James A.M.E. She was a choir member, and a member of the Missionary Board and Stewardess Board Survivors include a granddaughter, Audrey Brown, of Eastman, GA; four grandsons, Reginald (Mary Ann) Brown, of Eastman, GA, Roy Brown III and Michael Brown, both of Los Angeles, CA, and Kenneth Brown, of Inkster, MI, a daughter-in-law, Mertha Brown, of Eastman, GA; eight great-grandchildren; two great nieces; nephews; and other relatives and friends. at Andrew Lee Fuller November 21, 1942 November 11, 2000 City. and one crandabilA SEALE, AL Andrew Lee Fuller, 58, of 18 Stewart Lane of Seale, AL, died Saturday, November 11, 2000 at The Medical Center Hospital. to Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 15, 2000 at Taylor Funeral Home, Phenix City, AL. Burial will be in Uchee Chapel Methodist Church Cemetery in Seale, AL. Visitaof tion will be today from 1:00 until 9:00 p.m. at the funeral of home. Mr.
Fuller was born November 21, 1942 in Russell County, AL, the son of Daisy Fuller of Seale, AL and the a late Cary Fuller, he worked at Bill Mill. Survivors other than his mother include his wife, Teresa Fuller; a daughter, Takisha Fuller of Columbus, GA; four sisters, Willie B. (William) Moore of Salem, AL, Louise (Eddie) Robirgon, Carrie (Phillip) Jackson and Helen Phillips, all of Phenix City. and one crandabilA Bennefield August 10, 1929 November 10, 2000 COLUMBUS, GA- Mr. Charlie Bennefield, 71, of 1727 Woodhollow Columbus, died Friday, November 10, 2000 at the Medical Center.
Funeral services will be 2:00 pm Wednesday, 15, 2000 at the Canaan Baptist Church with Reverend J. Harold Carter, Pastor, officiating. I Burial will follow in Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery, Ft. Mitchell, AL, according to Sconiers Funeral Home, Columbus.
Visitation will be today from 12:00 noon until 7:00 pm. Mr. Bennefield was born August 10, 1929 in Columbus, GA, the son of Tip and Mary Jackson Bennefield, he was a member of the Canaan Baptist Church. Mr. Bennefield retired as a Maintenance Supervisor with the Columbus Housing Authority, and also worked at First Union Bank.
He was a U.S. Army and Air Force Veteran. Mr. Bennefield was preceded in death by a son, Marvin Bennefield and a daughter, Carolyn Bennefield. Survivors include a devoted wife, Verna L.
Bennefield; one son, Curtis L. Bennefield, six daughters, Barbara (Willie) King, Malinda Pedraza, Janet Bennefield, Judy Lucas, Dollie Adams, all of Columbus, and Elaine (Gary) Williams, of Dayton, OH; one brother, Major Bennefield and one sister, Rudy Foster, both of Columbus; seventeen grandchildren; nine greatgrandchildren, and a host of other relatives. Faith Spat Every Saturday in The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer. If you would like your church or business to appear in our Faith Spirit section, please call Lisa Cato at 320-4420. Ledger- Enquirer a.
