DeniseJ
07-23-2004, 08:06 AM
Parole Board Denies Early Release To Convicted Cop Shooter
Nine Officers Have Died In Line Of Duty So Far This Year
POSTED: 3:54 pm CDT July 21, 2004
MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- The Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles, at the urging of state Attorney General Troy King, rejected a north Alabama man's bid for early release from prison.
King made a rare appearance Wednesday before the three-member panel to protest an early release petition from Cecil Looney.
He was convicted of attempted murder of a police officer and was sentenced to 70 years in prison for the 1993 shooting of Guntersville Police Sgt. Tommy Bishop and an additional 10 years for an assault on Looney's wife. Bishop was shot in the back while attempting to rescue a woman who also had been shot by Looney.
The wound left Bishop paralyzed without the use of his leg.
King also reminded the board that nine Alabama police officers already have died in the line of duty this year.
The parole board also ruled that Looney would be not eligible for another parole hearing until July 2009.
King said he still plans to ask the state Legislature to change a state law that allows many criminals to be considered for parole after 10 years, even when they are given long, multiple prison terms to be served consecutively.
Nine Officers Have Died In Line Of Duty So Far This Year
POSTED: 3:54 pm CDT July 21, 2004
MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- The Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles, at the urging of state Attorney General Troy King, rejected a north Alabama man's bid for early release from prison.
King made a rare appearance Wednesday before the three-member panel to protest an early release petition from Cecil Looney.
He was convicted of attempted murder of a police officer and was sentenced to 70 years in prison for the 1993 shooting of Guntersville Police Sgt. Tommy Bishop and an additional 10 years for an assault on Looney's wife. Bishop was shot in the back while attempting to rescue a woman who also had been shot by Looney.
The wound left Bishop paralyzed without the use of his leg.
King also reminded the board that nine Alabama police officers already have died in the line of duty this year.
The parole board also ruled that Looney would be not eligible for another parole hearing until July 2009.
King said he still plans to ask the state Legislature to change a state law that allows many criminals to be considered for parole after 10 years, even when they are given long, multiple prison terms to be served consecutively.