Summers denied parole in stepson's murder on The Murfreesboro Post

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Summers denied parole in stepson's murder

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By: TMP Reports

Posted: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 3:00 pm

Ed Summers

Parole was denied this week for a stepfather convicted of helping in the murder of 7-year-old stepson in 2004.

Ed Summers was accused of helping then-wife Rachel Summers of killing her son, James Lee Harper III, a second-grade student at Christiana Elementary School. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison after entering a best interest plea to facilitation of murder two years ago.

Rachel Summers is serving a life sentence.

Summers was supposed to be eligible for parole in six years but because of overcrowded prisons, he went up for parole Oct. 13.

James’ family and friends opposed parole before and during his hearing before the Board of Probation and Parole.

Board spokeswoman Melissa McDonald reported the board declined parole.

“His case will not be reviewed again for six years,” McDonald reported. “That is the maximum number of years the law allows between parole hearings.”

Initial eligibility for parole is determined by the Tennessee Department of Correction based on the sentence, statute requirements and other factors.

“But once an eligible offender has a hearing and is declined, the board has the responsibility for determining when he/she will be reviewed again,” McDonald reported. “It may be as little as a few months to a year or it can be as long as six years. In this case, the board decided not to hear the case again for six years.”

Summers' next scheduled parole hearing will probably take place in October of 2015. At that time, the board will go through the same process of reviewing the file and will conduct a hearing before voting on whether to grant parole.

James' uncle, Jason Cline, fought parole for Summers.

"We are very pleased with the board's results," Cline said. "The fact that the parole board gave the most time possible between hearings speaks volumes. We now have six years before we have to deal with this all again.

"We will be doing everything possible from now until October 2015 to keep him in and will be there for the next hearing and any others he has," Cline said. "Thank you again to everyone who has supported us and please keep praying for us."

Tagged under Board of Probation and Parole, Ed Summers

Member Opinions:

By: Boo on 10/28/09
This has made my day!!

By: SocEtTuem on 10/28/09
Did this mope seriously believe he was going to walk after three years?

By: jesscline on 10/28/09
I am James aunt and actually yes he did, it was very sad!! We are sooo excited about this GREAT news and would like to thank everyone for all of their support and prayers during this time!!

By: SocEtTuem on 10/28/09
I hope the bottom feeder does his 20 years day for day. Even that is far too lenient for anyone who calls himslef a man, then helps murder a terrified and defenseless child. Had it been my decision, both he and the boy's mother would have been evicted from the planet. You will at least have peace for the next six years.

By: hamrtyme on 10/28/09
Jess,Jason,Jan,Jody & the rest of your family
Congrats,I knew that if enough of us spoke loudly enough that scum bag would stay put. We'll be watching closely to make sure they don't try to do this again (early release).
God Bless you all.
Leigh

By: jcline42 on 10/28/09
Thanks Leigh Ann. Very happy with the out come.

By: BullDogFan on 10/28/09
Gets what he deserves

By: driveguy on 10/29/09
This guy should never see another free day! We as a community must stay vigilant for our children. I hope he has a huge cell mate that really likes him!

By: nd88 on 10/30/09
Don't drop the soap, loser. Have fun in prison where you belong.