Talk:Johnny Paul Penry

Untitled
Should this one be removed from the list of mentally retarded persons? According to the article, the prisoner has stated that did not meet the requirements in Texas law. In addition, there is no evidence stated apart from the lawyer's claim. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.210.221.250 (talk) 06:17, 4 May 2013 (UTC)

Johnny Paul Penry has a Life Sentence with the possibility of Parole
The the first sentence of the entry for Johnny Paul Penry provides that he "is a Texas prisoner serving three consecutive sentences of life imprisonment without parole for rape and murder." This is not factually accurate. Penry is eligible for parole. See the Texas Department of Criminal Justice page

It provides that Penry will be eligible for parole on 2028-02-15. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice is the ultimate and definitive source for whether or not Penry is eligible for parole.

Yes, the trial judge sentenced Penry to three consecutive sentences of life without parole, but the trial judge didn't have that lawful authority. Life without Parole didn't start in Texas until June 17, 2005. Penry's crimes took place in 1977, 1979 and and 1980. Life without Parole in Texas is based on when the crime occurred, not when the sentence was issued.

Ward Larkin

WardLarkin (talk) 19:18, 16 January 2018 (UTC)