WACO, TX — A man who murdered a 21-year-old man and a Waco police officer in 1976 has become eligible for parole.
Thelette Brandon murdered 21-year-old Frank Johnson Jr. of Cherryvale, Kansas inside a public bus terminal in Waco on June 12,1976.
Minutes later, Brandon also murdered Sgt. Roger Earl Barrett of the Waco Police Department by shooting and stabbing him to death when he was attempting to take Brandon into custody.
Brandon pleaded guilty and was convicted for both murders. He is currently serving a life sentence.
Brandon's case is up for parole, according to The Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas.
"I am writing today on behalf of the 25,00 members of CLEAT who strongly believe that since Thelette Brandon was found guilty of capital murder, he should have received the death penalty," says a letter from CLEAT.
CLEAT says by engaging in a shootout with police before being arrested, Brandon was attempting to "kill even more people."
CLEAT is requesting that members of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles reject Brandon's appeal for parole.
