LISA MARCHESONI, Senior Writer
Posted: Sunday, October 25, 2009 7:14 am

Ed Summers

Relatives of a 7-year-old Christiana boy murdered in January 2004 fought parole Tuesday for the stepfather serving a prison sentence for aiding in his death.

Ed Summers, the stepfather of James Lee Harper III who was murdered by mother Rachel Summers in January 2004, entered a best interest plea to facilitation of murder two years ago. Rachel Summers is serving a life sentence.

Under a negotiated plea, her former husband agreed to a 20-year sentence with a chance of parole in six years. But due to overcrowded prison conditions, Ed Summers came up for parole Tuesday.

Because Rachel Summers couldn’t speak for her son, her brother, James Cline, started a petition and letter drive to keep Ed Summers in prison.

Cline and his wife, Jessica, attended the parole hearing where one board member voted against parole. A decision on parole is expected next week.

District Attorney William Whitesell, Rachel Summers and about 25 other people wrote letters opposing parole.

Spokeswoman Melissa McDonald of the Tennessee Board of Probation and Parole reported the law requires three votes by board members to approve or deny parole.

“The file will circulate among the board members until we receive three concurring votes,” McDonald reported.

She expects the board members to vote this week.

Cline said he and his family were glad the one board member voted against parole.

“I was happy that my wife and I were able to have a voice for James,” Cline said. “I would also like to say thank you to all of our friends and family that have supported us and help keep James’ spirit alive. We ask that everyone continue to pray for us and that Mr. Summers be denied parole by the remaining two board members.”

Cline will maintain his petition Web site at www.ipetitions.com/petition/DENY_ED_101309_/ so anyone who wants to oppose Summers’ probation may sign.

“If he is denied parole, we only have four more years to get as many signatures as we can,” Cline said in reference to Summers possibly being eligible for parole in 2013.

Lisa Marchesoni may be reached at 869-0814 and at lmarchesoni@murfreesboropost.com.