A convicted serial killer in Texas will be eligible for parole for the first time next month, but experts told Newsweek that he faces some challenges in securing his release.
Jack Wayne Reeves, who is serving sentences of 35 years and 99 years in the Wallace Pack Unit for two murder convictions, is eligible for parole on February 6, according to Texas Department of Criminal Justice records.
Wes Ball, who served as Reeves's attorney in his two murder trials and on direct appeal, spoke to Newsweek about the possibility of Reeves receiving parole.
"Texas' parole authorities don't tend to lean favorably to granting parole in this type of a case, and that's been my experience over decades of criminal law practice in Texas, but each case is unique," Ball said.
Gary Cohen, a Texas attorney specializing in the representation of inmates in the parole review process, told Newsweek that Reeves's "chances of getting released on his first event, with a history like his, they are in the single digits. He is not going to get out this time."
Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor and the president of West Coast Trial Lawyers, told Newsweek that Reeves has "little to no chance of receiving parole."
"Texas is pretty strict when it comes to these parole cases," Rahmani said.
Reeves was convicted of killing a man in Italy, his second wife, Sharon Vaughn, and his fourth wife, Emilita Villa. He is currently serving sentences related to the killings of Vaughn and Villa.
"They are free to look at everything in an individual's life in terms of prior criminal conduct, prior criminal convictions, they can look at counts that may have been dismissed as part of plea agreement," Cohen said. "There's nothing that's off limit for them in terms of making a decision about a person."
Cohen said the parole board will also examine the inmate's time in confinement.
He said the board will consider factors such as, "Have they been compliant with the rules? What kind of programming have they participated in?"
Victims and their families also have a right to share their feelings about the individual being released with the parole board, Cohen said.
Reeves is now 85 years old, according to Texas Department of Criminal Justice records. Rahmani said his age could play a role in the parole decision.
"If there's health issues, that is something the parole board can consider, so that's something that would probably help him in getting released, advanced age," Rahmani said. "I would still be surprised if they granted it."
Cohen said psychological data in the criminal justice field shows that the risk of "aberrant or anti-social behavior" decreases as an individual gets older.
"You tend to be more calm," Cohen said, "but Texas really doesn't give a damn. That is not going to be a significant factor in his release."
Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor and the president of West Coast Trial Lawyers, told Newsweek: "I would be surprised if the Texas board deemed him parole eligible. I mean, they look at the nature and circumstances of the offense. Killing your wife or killing multiple wives, that's pretty egregious and heinous."
Wes Ball, who served as Jack Wayne Reeves's attorney in his two murder trials and on direct appeal, told Newsweek: "Texas is not known for being generous with parole for homicide cases."
Reeves is eligible for parole on February 6, according to Texas Department of Criminal Justice records.