Oklahoma Gov.: Wayne Thompson granted parole after murder conviction

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has granted parole to an Oklahoma man convicted for the 1983 murder of his sister's alleged abuser.

Wayne Thompson was convicted of the 1983 murder of Charles Keene at the age of 15, before he could even legally drive a vehicle. Thompson said his then brother-in-law, Keene, was abusing his sister and beat him up when he tried to protect him.

Thompson was sentenced to death the same year, but that sentence was later overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in a landmark ruling and his sentence was commuted to life with the possibility of parole.

Thompson and his family have held on to that possibly over the past 40 years. He was granted parole in 2003, but was later denied by Governor Brad Henry. Thompson has tried since then, but wasn't able to get an outcome in has favor until January; when the state's Pardon and Parole Board recommended Governor Kevin Stitt sign off on it.

Thompson appeared virtually at the time and told the board he believed working while in prison had prepared him for the next steps in his life.

“I get up and go to work every day and I make sure that all the jobs are started and completed on time as required,” said Thompson.

While in prison, Thompson got a college degree and started mentoring others in sobriety.

Governor Kevin Stitt granted parole for Thompson, and in a certificate of parole obtained by News 4 on Monday said it came after an "impartial investigation, study, and deliberate consideration of all the facts and circumstances." The parole is contingent on Thompson successfully completing a six-month step down monitored by the Department of Corrections. If Thompson fails, the Governor could withdraw the parole.

Further conditions of Thompson's parole include the following:

• Obeying laws and avoiding contact with law enforcement.
• Regular reports to Thompson's parole officer for the remainder of his parole.
• Must stay in Oklahoma unless given permission to leave the state.
• Cannot use alcohol or illegal drugs.
• No firearms or weapons.
• Cannot associate with felons or others on parole or probation knowingly.
• Must participate in treatment or counseling as advised.

If Thompson follows those conditions, the Department of Corrections will ultimately decide on his actual release date, which could be this fall. Thompson signed off on the parole certificate, acknowledging that he agrees to its conditions.