Vickie Mann Hair wept and thanked the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board after they voted to recommend release for her brother Wayne Thompson on Tuesday.
Thompson, 57, has been in prison for more than four decades for killing Mann Hair’s abusive ex-husband. Thompson was 15 at the time of the crime in 1983.
Family and friends stood in support of Thompson as he appeared at the hearing in Oklahoma City via video from Joseph Harp Correctional Center in Lexington, where he has spent much of the last 41 years.
Thompson’s sisters hugged after the hearing and talked excitedly about cooking his favorite foods for him if he is released — pecan pie, bacon, biscuits and chocolate gravy.
They were among about a dozen people gathered in the hallway after the vote, all smiling and holding back tears.
“This is how many people love him,” said Cindy Welch, one of Thompson’s three sisters. “He’s that kind of guy. I don’t know of anybody that’s ever disliked him.”
Some Thompson’s supporters included seven men who had spent time behind bars with him but have since been released. The men spoke about Thompson’s dedication to bettering himself.
Jason Sullivent, who met him in prison, said Thompson was an inspiration to them.
“I think he deserves a shot to prove that he is the man that he is today,” Sullivent said. “We’ve all watched him grow and we all want to see him go home.”
Gov. Kevin Stitt will have the final say on whether to grant Thompson parole. Stitt can review a prisoner’s case file, watch a recording of the board hearing and talk to those involved to make his decision.
Stitt spokeswoman Abegail Cave said the process typically takes about three weeks.
Thompson has been going up for parole periodically since the mid-1990s, but he has never been successful. The last time he made it this far in the process was in 2003, but Gov. Brad Henry did not sign off on his release.
Thompson hasn’t had a chance to talk directly to the board for the past 15 years. People convicted of violent crimes only get to appear in front of the board if they pass an initial, cursory review of their case.
Thompson spoke briefly to the board about his job as a manager of a prison furniture factory and how he had participated in as many educational programs in prison as he could.
His attorney Madison Boone said Thompson would live with friends in his hometown of Chickasha if he is released. The group Project Commutation, which provides legal services to incarcerated people, would help him find a job, Boone said.
Thompson’s appearance before the Pardon and Parole Board was delayed after two board members resigned late last year and the December meeting was cancelled.
Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed M. Sean Malloy and Susan H. Stava to fill the empty seats.
Thompson’s supporters had worried changes to the board and a backlog of cases might hurt his chances.
The Pardon and Parole Board already has limited time to review hundreds of cases at each monthly meeting. This month, the number was doubled as the board worked through cases that were supposed to be heard in December on top of those slated for January. Thompson’s case was one of 511 the board was scheduled to hear over three days of hearings this month.
The board voted 4 to 1 in favor of recommending Thompson’s parole, with the condition he participate in a 180-day program to prepare him for release.
Malloy cast the lone “no” vote, due to the circumstances of the crime.
Board member Kevin Buchanan said he believed Thompson had served enough time in prison and would not be a danger to the public.
“The facts that brought him here will never change,” Buchanan said. “We need to stop looking at 1983 to decide our vote.”
The board rarely recommends parole for people convicted of violent crimes. During a 12-month period ending in June, the board recommended parole for 11% of people convicted of violent crimes.
