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Bailey: Cop killer released on ‘medical’ conditions following a denial in parole hearing
Louisville, IL – State Senator Darren Bailey says he’s appalled by actions taken by the Pritzker Administration to release an inmate who abducted a southern Illinois woman and killed an Illinois State Trooper in 1976.
“The families of both victims now have to relive the tragedy because this administration would rather cater to criminals, rather than hold them accountable,” said Sen. Bailey. “Mr. Hyche should have the same fate that he dealt out no matter the medical condition. This is why I filed Senate Bill 3899, which would reinstate the death penalty for individuals found guilty of killing police officers.”
The release of Aaron Hyche comes just months after the state’s Prisoner Review Board (PRB) denied Hyche parole on August 25, 2021, citing the parole release would deprecate the serious nature of the offenses and promote a lack of respect for the law. The kidnapping victim, who was 18 at the time, testifies each year, forcing to relive the horror from 45 years ago.
“The Layton family was told they had until February 9th to submit opposition materials to be heard before the PRB meeting in March,” said Bailey. “Just days before that deadline, this medical release board high-jacked the case, allowing the PRB board to release Hyche without proper notice to local officials and families involved in the case. This is unacceptable and we are all demanding answers.”
Five days before Hyche’s hearing in August, House Bill 3665 was signed into law by the Governor, which allows the PRB the ability to grant a person committed to the Department of Corrections early release for medical incapacity or terminal illness. The new law went into effect January 1, 2022.
“The political maneuvers and power put forth by the Majority party and this administration are terrifying and should be alarming to everyone. The state’s Prisoner Review Board is a sham, putting innocent lives at risk every day.”
Currently, a majority of the members of the PRB have not been confirmed by the Illinois Senate. The Pritzker administration has used numerous tricks to avoid confirmation hearings for the Governor’s appointees, including such tactics as appointing members, withdrawing them before their confirmation deadline, then reappointing them again. The confirmation hearings are an important constitutional requirement, created to ensure that the legislature properly vets appointees that are tasked with making potential life-and-death decisions.
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