Former Akron police Capt. Doug Prade, who is up for parole for the first time in the 1997 murder of his ex-wife, won’t find out for several weeks if the parole board is recommending his release.
Prade, 79, had a hearing June 4 before members of the parole board, but a majority of the nine board members weren’t present. That means the case will move to a Central Office Board Review. The board review will allow the other board members to access the case and, after a majority decision is reached, a decision will be issued.
If the parole board members recommend Prade be released, a full hearing will be held in which Prade’s attorney, a prosecutor and the victim’s family could testify. The board members, though, could recommend that Prade spend up to 10 more years in prison.
JoEllen Smith, a state prison spokeswoman, said the review process could take up to several weeks.
Doug Prade, a former Akron police captain who was convicted of killing his wife, had his first parole hearing June 4. A recommendation isn’t expected for several weeks.
Prade was sentenced in September 1998 to life in prison with possible parole after 26 years for the shooting death of his former wife, Dr. Margo Prade. He maintained his innocence during a recent prison interview with the Beacon Journal. Many of Margo’s family members and friends, though, think he killed her and want to see him spend the rest of his life in prison.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Ohio parole board decision about Doug Prade of Akron may take weeks
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