Killer gets a shot at freedom

Convicted murderer Gary Hawkins, 33, will go free Jan. 15, 2004, if he stays out of trouble.

"The commissioners decided he had done everything he needed to do as an inmate," said Olivia Craven, executive director for the Idaho Commission of Pardons and Paroles.

Hawkins has been in prison since 1986 for the murder of 72-year-old Anna E. Christensen in her Lewiston home.

In January 1986, Hawkins broke into Christensen's home near Lewiston High School, suffocated her, and made off with $235. His accomplice, Wayne E Boyer, 15 at the time, was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter and spent one year in a juvenile facility before his release.

Hawkins was found guilty of first- degree murder, and when released next year, he will have spent more than half his life, 18 years, in jail.

The five-member parole commission made its decision Thursday morning.

The commissioners first heard a statement from Hawkins. Then they heard two-minute speeches from three Hawkins supporters and three members of the victim's family. After 20 minutes of deliberation, the commissioners made their decision.

"I was extremely surprised," said Michael D. Finney, nephew of the victim, who flew from California to attend the hearing.

Along with family members, Finney has waged a three-month campaign to keep Hawkins behind bars. The campaign included telephone calls, letter writing, rental of a Boise billboard and newspaper advertising. The campaign has cost the family about $8,000, said Finney.

The campaign to keep Hawkins in prison generated about 50 letters in favor of Hawkins and 50 letters against, not including telephone calls, according to Craven.

The commissioners were careful to remain unbiased by the publicity of the hearing and treat it fairly as they treated more than 1,700 other hearings last year, Craven said. In fact, she said the Christensen family's campaign generated many complaints from people who objected to the fear stirred up in elderly people who received mailings.

Finney, along with family members Rep. Charles Cuddy, R-Orofino, and Steve Christensen, also of Orofino, spoke out against Hawkins at the hearing.

"He said he is a changed man and has participated in a large number of programs," said Finney, who maintains that Hawkins is not rehabilitated. Finney points to Hawkins' continued assertions that he did not kill Christensen as proof. "Clearly he still has not accepted responsibility for his actions."

According to Finney, Hawkins maintains that he did not kill Christensen, and Hawkins and his supporters say Christensen died of natural causes.

Speaking on behalf of Hawkins were his brother, Leander Hawkins; his father, Gary Hawkins; and his wife of six years, Christina Hawkins. Gary met Christina Hawkins 12 years ago after saving her brother from being attacked in prison, according to Kelly Winberg, director of Friends and Families of Idaho Inmates.

"Most people don't realize that him and his wife both are very strong Christians," said Winberg.

Hawkins has asked Winberg to be his spokesman to the press, said Winberg.

Winberg said there is a chance that Hawkins may qualify for a work release program before his scheduled release date. She said he has learned few skills in prison, however, he has distinguished himself as a drug and anger management counselor.

According to Craven, the work release idea was suggested by Leander Hawkins, who spent time in prison for aggravated battery. However, the Department of Correction, not the parole commission, is responsible for that decision.

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Ferguson may be contacted at dferguson@lmtribune.com