Toni
Lee Parrish, sentenced to life in prison for murdering his
sister-in-law 12 years ago, has been denied parole by the
Kentucky Parole Board according to Morganfield Police Chief
Tom Carmon.
Parole hearings on the fate of Parrish were held earlier
this month in Frankfort and the mother of the victim, Sherry
Johnson, presented the board with a petition signed by 1,567
local residents who were against granting parole for Parrish.
Parrish pled guilty to a murder charge in 1994, two years
after the death of Patricia Johnson. Parrish was originally
charged with kidnapping, rape and murder. The kidnapping and
rape charges were withdrawn when Parrish agreed to plead
guilty to a murder charge and receive a life sentence.
Chief Carmon and Assistant Police Chief Jeff Hart traveled
to Frankfort September 7 to testify before three members of
the parole hearing.
Hart said Parrish was eligible for a parole hearing after
serving 12 years of his life sentence. He said this was normal
procedure for those who receive life sentences.
Hart, who helped head the investigation into Patricia
Johnson's death 12 years ago, said he and Carmon presented
evidence that would have been presented at a trial if
Parrish's case had gone to trial.
Hart said he and Carmon are both convinced Parrish did not
deserve parole and has not shown any remorse for his crime.
Hart said Parrish was a suspect in a 1991 abduction in
Henderson.
Patricia Johnson was reported missing September 16, 1992
and her body was found 12 days later and that's when Parrish
was arrested. An informant led authorities to the body which
was in a ditch near the Ohio River in the Dekoven area.
He spent some two years in jail before pleading guilty to
murder April 14, 1994. Parrish was formally sentenced May 12,
1994 and has been in prison since then.
Hart said he was not sure what prison Parrish was being
held, but he is imprisoned in Kentucky. A spokesman for the
Parole Board said Parrish was being held at the Green River
Correctional Complex at Central City.
Hart also noted Mrs. Johnson presented the petition to the
parole board and also testified against granting parole to
Parrish.
Hart said a parole board official indicated to him and
Carmon that Parrish will not be eligible for parole again and
would most likely spend the rest of his life in prison.
And that was also confirmed by a spokesman for the Parole
Board who said Parrish, now 38, would spend the rest of his
life incarcerated.
