For the last two days, Kentucky’s Parole Board — and a swathe of victims and their families — have had to embrace and relive the events of December 1, 1997, when a 14-year-old Michael Carneal opened fire on a Heath High School prayer group in Paducah, and killed three while injuring five.
Now 39 years old and incarcerated at the Kentucky State Reformatory in La Grange, Prisoner 151127 is serving a life sentence behind three counts of murder as a violent crime, five counts of criminal attempted murder, and one count of first-degree burglary.
And following 24 years and nine months, he’s up for his first parole.
A victim’s hearing Monday morning, and Carneal’s ensuing Tuesday hearing, however, did not bring any more clarity on his potential freedom. After more than two hours of testimony, discussion and private rebuttal, Parole Board Chair Ladeidra Jones and Board Member Larry Brock did not come to a consensus — thus passing Carneal’s case to the full parole board, which will convene at 7:30 AM Monday, September 26.
Jones noted Tuesday morning that, in the last 25 years, she hadn’t seen Carneal deliver much of a personal in-depth plan as to how he’d conduct himself outside of prison walls.
Mental health care, Carneal said, would be key to his possible success.
In testimony, Carneal told Jones that “voices” have considerably bothered him for years — telling him to do things he didn’t want to do.
The last time these “voices” visited him was fairly recent.
Jones said the parole board was “charged” with public safety, and she asked Carneal if he’d be a danger to society.
Carneal said he could “benefit the Commonwealth and people, as a whole” if released, but Jones made a note that of his record, medical professionals have indicated that he’s still experiencing “paranoid thoughts, with violent visual imagery.”
These are the same kinds of thoughts Carneal said he experienced in high school, leading up to the December 1997 event.
In these last 25 years, Carneal said he’s completed his GED, a complete psychiatric treatment program and needs “a couple more classes” for an associate degree. He’s posted nine years of “clean conduct,” and recently completed anger management treatment.
Asked why he shot eight people, Carneal said there was “no reason,” and “unjustified.”
He also said he “didn’t know” if he deserved parole.
Brock asked Carneal his thoughts on community perception of both the crime, and of his character.
Brock also asked Carneal how he’d feel if someone had committed the same crime as he, against his own family.
The full parole board consists of Jones (chair), Brock, Bridget Skaggs Brown, Sharon Hardesty, Shawn Helbig, Michael A. James, Sherri Lathan and James D. Nickell.
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Killed: Nicole Hadley (14), Jessica James (17), Kayce Steger (15)
Wounded: Shelley Schaberg (17), Missy Jenkins (15), Kelly Hard Alsip (16), Hollan Holm (14), Craig Keene (15)
Carneal’s comment on the victims:
Carneal’s comment on modern school shootings:
Carneal’s full Tuesday, September 20, 2022 hearing:
Some of Monday’s victim statements:
