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BATON ROUGE, La. (KALB) –<\/b> On Sept. 19, virtually two years after submitting an software for a clemency listening to earlier than the Board of Pardons, John Sheehan, 57, obtained information that might change the remainder of his life. Sheehan is presently housed on the Louisiana State Penitentiary.<\/p>\n
In a unanimous vote, the five-member panel with the Board of Pardons granted a suggestion for commutation of Sheehan\u2019s life sentence to 99 years with eligibility for parole. That suggestion will likely be handed on to Gov. John Bel Edwards, who will make the ultimate determination.<\/p>\n
Sheehan, who has served virtually 36 years in jail, was convicted of second-degree homicide for the Could 1986 lethal taking pictures of his spouse, Monica Jeansonne Sheehan, 19. He claims he was cleansing his father\u2019s shotgun when it by accident discharged, the bullet hanging Monica in her chest. The Avoyelles Parish coroner on the time dominated the taking pictures unintentional.<\/p>\n
The Sheehans, who lived in Florida on the time whereas John was serving within the U.S. Air Power, had been in Louisiana visiting household. The taking pictures occurred at John\u2019s grandmother\u2019s home. She, together with the Sheehans\u2019 eight-month-old son, had been in the home when the taking pictures occurred.<\/p>\n
Although September\u2019s listening to resulted within the Board of Pardon\u2019s approval, it was not the primary time Sheehan has fought for freedom since his arrest in 1986.<\/p>\n
On Nov. 19, 1986, Sheehan was discovered responsible of second-degree homicide. Proof introduced throughout that trial confirmed John bought two life insurance coverage insurance policies on his spouse, totaling $125,000 two weeks earlier than her dying, signing her identify to at least one. The coroner within the trial, Dr. F.P Bordelon, testified that the bullet path discovered within the sufferer\u2019s post-mortem didn’t match Sheehan\u2019s story. Additional testimony confirmed the couple was having monetary and marital issues.<\/p>\n
Sheehan appealed that conviction, and it was overturned by the third Circuit Court docket of Attraction after discovering an announcement credited to Sheehan and used within the trial was inadmissible. The courtroom ordered Sheehan to be retried.<\/p>\n
He was granted a brand new trial, and in April 1988, he was once more discovered responsible of second-degree homicide in a 10-2 verdict by a twelfth Judicial District Court docket jury.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, in November 1988, the State Supreme Court docket as soon as once more granted a brand new listening to for his request for a brand new trial, regarding protection proof not linked with the taking pictures of Sheehan\u2019s spouse. This time, the protection\u2019s issues surrounded a juror\u2019s involvement with the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff\u2019s Workplace and different jurors\u2019 prior data of the case.<\/p>\n
In January 1989, twelfth Judicial District Choose Harold Brouillette denied John\u2019s request for a brand new trial.<\/p>\n
Sheehan been serving his sentence ever since, however he’s now hoping to in the future be free.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo phrases can ever convey how sorry, how remorseful I’m, how a lot I want that there was a way that I may take away the ache from my son and from my in-laws,\u201d stated Sheehan to the Board. \u201cIt\u2019s one thing that I can solely put in God\u2019s arms.\u201d<\/p>\n
A number of folks testified in help of John\u2019s request, together with a number of wardens, all who detailed his management whereas serving time. He helped facilitate re-entry automotive packages within the Nineteen Nineties. He additionally earned a level from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary to function a chaplain and missionary in Louisiana prisons.<\/p>\n
Sheehan described himself as a \u201chelpless wreck\u201d and \u201cegocentric particular person\u201d in 1986, however since then, all the pieces he has completed \u201chas been what God has completed by [him].\u201d<\/p>\n
Though there have been nonetheless questions surrounding his story of what occurred throughout the taking pictures, Sheehan stated that he was liable for his spouse\u2019s dying and no person else was, and \u201cno person deserved to die that manner.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the concept the life insurance coverage insurance policies made the taking pictures appear deliberate, Sheehan stated, \u201cI’ve no rationalization besides to say, I understand how it seems, and I\u2019m deeply sorry for the way it seems.\u201d<\/p>\n
The one particular person to talk in opposition to Sheehan\u2019s request was Marie McDowell, the sufferer\u2019s mom. Monica was McDowell\u2019s solely little one.<\/p>\n
McDowell claimed Sheehan abused his spouse, beating her at their home in Florida. She stated she tried to persuade her daughter to depart him, discovering bullet holes within the partitions of their Florida dwelling the place he had shot at her earlier than. She claims Sheehan informed the sufferer\u2019s father he hated her and needed her out of his life.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s asking for clemency,\u201d stated McDowell to the Board. \u201cHe\u2019s asking for his life again, however my daughter doesn\u2019t have that likelihood. He took that away from her when he killed her.\u201d<\/p>\n
McDowell stated Sheehan\u2019s expression of regret was the primary time he had ever stated he was remorseful in 36 years.<\/p>\n
Within the Board\u2019s vote, all judges within the case agreed they might not argue that the Sheehan earlier than them was a distinct man, and whereas they sympathized with McDowell, all of them really helpful commutation of Sheehan\u2019s sentence.<\/p>\n