Despite pleas of victim's parents, convicted murderer paroled

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) - Despite pleas of the victim's parents, the Nevada Parole Board has granted parole to a convicted murderer.

James Greene, 28, is scheduled to be released from prison in September, said board spokeswoman Susan McCurdy.

Greene has been in prison since 1990 for killing Robert ''Bobby'' Fay after a fight over Fay's red coat and shoes in Reno.

Greene, who had an extensive juvenile record, told police he was a member of a gang represented by the color red and was angry that Fay was wearing the color. He drew a five- to 50-year sentence.

Fay's mother, Jean Ashley, said she was outraged over the board's decision.

Board Chairman Donald Dennison called to inform her of the decision Friday, but Dennison could not be reached for comment.

Ashley said Dennison cited Greene's good behavior record as the reason for the board's decision.

''It was all for nothing,'' Ashley told the Reno Gazette-Journal. ''Who am I to go and change this? I'm one person.''

The board's decision came after a May 19 hearing in Carson City ordered by Gov. Kenny Guinn. It was the third such hearing on Greene's parole request in three months.

Greene had been set for release in August after the board granted his initial parole request in February.

But because Ashley and her husband, Roger, were not notified of the hearing, the board decided to reconsider the decision at an April 17 hearing.

But after the Ashleys say they were refused an opportunity to speak then, Guinn intervened and requested a third hearing to give them a chance to be heard.

Jean Ashley read a prepared statement at the May 19 hearing asking the board to reconsider its earlier decision.

''I feel like a fool,'' Ashley said. ''They had made up their minds in February. They were just going through the motions because they had to.''

The Ashleys had twice before gone before the board to argue against Greene's release.