By Rachel Snyder
The Duncan Banner
DUNCAN, Okla. — A Duncan man convicted of shooting Officer Jack James in 1985 is on the Oklahoma Department of Corrections’ parole docket this month.
Arthur Parks shot James when he went to Parks’ home at Duncan Lake on June 3, 1985, after hearing gun shots. Parks was found guilty by a Stephens County jury and sentenced to life in prison.
Stephens County District Attorney Jason Hicks said at the time Parks was sentenced, Oklahoma didn’t have the option to sentence to life without parole or the 85-percent rule, which requires violent offenders to serve a minimum of 85 percent of their sentence before they can be considered for parole.
“If the 85-rule were in effect at this time, Parks would be required to serve not less than 38.3 years in prison before being eligible for parole, which would be at some point in 2027,” Hicks said. “It is vitally important for this community to engage in the protest of this offender. He took the life of another human being who just so happened to be a law enforcement officer, a husband and a father and, for this, Arthur Parks should not see another day outside the walls of a prison.”
The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board will decide if Parks should be passed from the first stage to the second stage in the parole process this month.
During the first stage, the parole board does a paper review of the convict, and will pass the issue to the second stage, if they deem it appropriate.
During the second stage, the convict, prosecutors and family members of the victim are allowed to speak to the parole board about why they believe he should or should not be released from prison.
The governor reviews the recommendation if the parole board votes to parole the convict.
Those interested in contacting the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board can call 405-521-6600, email victimcommunications@ppb.ok.gov. or send a letter to First National Center, 120 N. Robinson Ave., Ste. 900 W Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73102.
Include the convict’s name, D.O.C. number, 150933 in Parks’ case, and the docket month and year.