Killer Claude Dallas Set For Release From Prison

Remember Claude Dallas? I do. Claude Dallas brutally murdered Bill Pogue and Conley Elms, Idaho Fish and Game Department officers, in 1981 after they accused him of poaching. For the crimes, Dallas was sentenced to 30 years in prison and, with time off for good behavior, now he's getting released. Expect Dallas to be on the streets February 6.

Some people believe that Dallas was not punished commensurate with his crimes. He shot the officers and then retrieved another weapon and shot them again, execution-style. Afterward, Dallas showed no remorse for his victims. He was convicted of voluntary manslaughter, not murder, and sentenced to 30 years. So, Bill Pogue and Conley Elms lost their lives while simply doing their jobs, leaving behind grieving and broken families. Claude Dallas, at the age of 55, gets to restart his life as a free man.

My take is that the sentence was lenient. Dallas killed two people in 1981 and 24 years later he is released from prison. That's only 12 years per killing. It's not nearly enough. I also think there's a strong likelihood that he'll kill again.

Companion post at Our Life.