Published: February 26, 2009 10:52 am      

DA’s office successfully protests parole release

Three violent offenders stay behind bars

DUNCAN — Assistant District Attorney Josh Creekmore protested the release of three individuals from prison during the February meeting of the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board.

Two of these individuals were convicted in Stephens County for violent crimes. The third was convicted on murder charges in Caddo County. District 6 in Oklahoma comprises four counties: Stephens, Jefferson, Grady and Caddo.

Six people who were convicted in Stephens County came up for possible parole. Jefferson County had three offenders up for parole review.

A representative from the district attorney’s office doesn’t always attend these monthly meetings to protest an inmate’s release, unless the inmate is a danger to the public safety.

After listening to Creekmore’s objections to their release as well as any victim’s feelings on the matter and considering any evidence in favor of early release, the board decided to deny all three inmates’ applications for early release.

Inmates whom Creekmore protested:

• Teddy Ray Bartling, 39, of Hastings was convicted in Stephens County District Court in 2002 of assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm after a conviction of a felony.

Bartling received a seven-year sentence and is projected to be released in November.

Creekmore protested Bartling’s early release because Bartling “has a violent prior history.”

• Ruby Nell Jones, 53, of Duncan was convicted in Stephens County District Court in 2002 of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

Jones received a 10-year sentence.

Creekmore said that Jones had been out on probation previously before being revoked.

• James C. Tansimore was convicted in 1996 in Caddo County of murder in the second degree and received a 30-year sentence.

At the time of the conviction, Oklahoma did not require Tansimore serve 86 percent of his sentence before eligibility for parole, Creekmore said.

“If that law had been in effect, Tansimore would not be up for parole so soon,” he said.

Parole applications were also denied for:

• Shane Paul Hughes, 34, of Comanche was convicted in 1999 in Stephens County District Court of unlawful possession of obscene pictures of minors after a former conviction of a felony.

Hughes received a 20-year sentence and has a projected release date of 2012.

• Douglas L. Johnson was convicted in 1997 in Jefferson County District Court of burglary in the second degree after three former convictions of a felony.

Johnson received a 20-year sentence and is projected to be released in 2011.

• Ricky Carranza Torrez, 50, of Ryan was convicted in July 2007 in Jefferson County District Court of driving under the influence of alcohol. Torrez received a five-year sentence and is projected to be released in 2012.

Individuals recommended for early release include:

• Cordellia Rochelle Monk, 38, of Duncan, who was convicted in June 2008, in Stephens County District Court of DUI.

Monk received a seven-year suspended sentence except for the first three.

• David Glenn Phelps, 29, of Lawton, who was convicted in 2006 in Stephens County District Court of possession of substance with the intent to manufacture a controlled and dangerous substance. Phelps received a 20-year sentence.

• Shaun Lovell Royalty, 30, was convicted in 1999 in Stephens County District Court, of unlawful possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute.

n Lisa Kathleen Emerick, 34, of Ringling, who was convicted in February 2008, in Jefferson County District Court of forgery in the second degree. Emerick received a three-year sentence.