UPI
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A Tennessee woman whose death sentence for arranging her husband’s killing was commuted has won the support of a member of the parole board.
Gaile Owens, 58, must still win over at least three more board members, The Nashville Tennessean reported. Owens, convicted of murder in 1986, faced execution until Gov. Phil Bredesen commuted her sentence last year to life.
Patsy Bruce, a member of the Board of Probation and Parole, held a hearing Wednesday at the Tennessee Prison for Women. She heard Owens take responsibility for her crime.
“It is with immeasurable regret and remorse that I admit that I’m responsible for the death of my husband, Ron Owens,” she said. “I ultimately put, was responsible for putting the wheels in motion that caused his death. I bear the full responsibility.”
Owens was convicted of paying thousands of dollars to the man who beat her husband to death in their home. Her lawyers argued before her trial that she had been battered for years by her husband, but she refused to allow the evidence at trial because she wanted to spare her children.
About 60 supporters came to the prison for the hearing.
Bruce said she was impressed by Owens’ stand on the abuse.
“You remember that no matter what happens with this vote, you had one person who thought you were ready to go,” Bruce told Owens before she left. “And, if you don’t get to go this time, it’s just a matter of time.”
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