Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
- James Pernell Sherard seeks parole nearly 40 years after his 1987 conviction.
- Sherard, who killed Madeline Beltran, claims he's changed.
- The parole board will decide his fate, amid the victim's family's opposition.
SALT LAKE CITY — A man who was once told he would serve the rest of his natural life in prison went before the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole on Tuesday — the second time in two years.
James Pernell Sherard pleaded guilty in 1987 to aggravated murder, a capital offense, for brutally stabbing Madeline Beltran, 52, repeatedly in the throat, chest, legs and lower abdomen. Evidence of sexual abuse was also found.
Sherard, however, was spared the death penalty and sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. But during a parole hearing in 1989, the parole board told Sherard he would serve the rest of his natural life in prison.
In 2020, however, the board entertained the idea of holding a rehearing for Sherard upon completion of certain programs and due to his disciplinary-free record and positive employment history. A hearing was held nearly a year ago. He was denied parole at that time but was told he would be given another hearing if he continued to complete programs and remained disciplinary-free.
That rehearing was held on Tuesday.
Speaking in a soft and calm voice, Sherard told board member Blake Hills about his abusive childhood and how he tried heroin for the first time at age 16 and became addicted. On the night he killed Beltran, he said his only intention was to burglarize her home.
"I broke into a house to commit a crime and I ended up committing several crimes," he said. "Wanted to make some money so I could continue to get high. I was dope sick.
"I went in with one intent, and before I knew it, I was covered in blood. I can't really say what led up to what took place," he said Tuesday.
But while recounting his crimes, Sherard says he doesn't want to sound like he's making excuses. He says he takes full accountability for what happened that night.
"I'm ashamed of what I've done," calling his crimes "senseless acts" while adding that what he did should not be glorified and he doesn't take any pride in what happened.
When Hills told Sherard the board had received many letters from the victim's family asking that Sherard not be released while essentially expressing "hatred" for him, he said he understood.
"I don't view their letters as being hatred, I view their letters as normal — and it's understandable," he said. "I have no excuse for what I've done. There's nothing I can do or nothing I can say that will make them feel differently about me."
But Sherard also said he hoped the family would see he's not the same "kid" who arrived at the Utah State Prison a couple of decades ago.
"That person is gone, he's been gone for many, many years now," he said. "I grew up. I'm just not that person anymore. That person faded a long time ago. I found that I get more respect and more pleasure out of that respect by not getting in trouble. I'm worth something. I found my worth.
"I was 18 years old when I came in. I'll be 57 this summer. … The person I've become today is the person I want to be."
Hills noted that Sherard has not had any disciplinary violations in "quite some time." Sherard said he will "continue to grow" whether he is granted parole or not.
The full five-member board will vote on whether to grant parole.
