May 17, 2021

Parole denied for state trooper's killer, but just for three years

Posted May 17, 2021 7:16 PM
Conroy O'Brien / KHP
Conroy O'Brien / KHP

By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post

HUTCHINSON — Jimmie Nelms, the killer of Kansas State Trooper Conroy O'Brien, will remain behind bars, but that's only guaranteed for three years.

"Obviously, I was happy that they are keeping him in prison for three more years," said Conroy's brother, Kelvin. "I was disappointed that they didn't take advantage of passing him for ten years, because they could have done that."

That's exactly what the parole board did previously in 2011.

"Prior to the parole hearing, the Zoom hearing we had in March, the parole board actually said they were going to use the 1993 crime bill as a guideline on this particular case, or any case of a crime that was committed prior to 1993. The crime bill of 1993 states life in prison without parole or the death penalty, one of the two, so here we are, going to be up for parole again in three years."

O'Brien thanked those who sent letters in support of the denial of Nelms' parole.

"There was an overwhelming response from the public to deny parole," O'Brien said. "I know there were letters that came from California, from Massachusetts, Florida, all over, to ask the parole board to deny parole, so I think he was denied parole was the public response."

Nelms photo KDOC
Nelms photo KDOC

Nelms is 74 years old and according to public records is incarcerated at the Norton Correctional Facility.