'Let Him Come Home:' 40 Years Later, Wayne Thompson's Family Members Beg For Early Release

In a 4-1 decision, early release was recommended for Wayne Thompson by the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board.  

Wayne Thompson was convicted at age 15 for the 1983 murder of his sister's alleged abuser. He is now 57 years old and has spent more than 41 years in prison. 

“He has absolutely shown through his education and employment and good conduct that he has done everything in his power to make positive changes and prove he is ready to re-enter society,” said Madison Boone, Thompson’s attorney with Project Commutation. “He is fully aware of the harm he caused to his and his victim's family and has absolutely done everything he can to make up for his actions.” 

Making a plea for parole, Thompson’s attorney detailed his success behind bars. 

“He has absolutely shown through his education and employment and good conduct that he has done everything in his power to make positive changes and prove he is ready to re-enter society,” said Boone.

Thompson appeared via videoconference during the hearing.

Thompson’s family members and men who served prison time with Thompson were all in attendance during Tuesday’s hearing. 

“I was 12 when he came in, he's never seen my kids on the streets, my son is almost 30 and he's never met him outside prison,” said Cindy Welch, Thompson’s sister.

Thompson’s sister, Vickie Sanders, wrote an additional letter to the pardon and parole board pleading for her brother's release. It was Sanders' husband, Charles Keene, who Thompson killed in 1983.

“She feels that Wayne’s actions were driven by his desire to protect her and her children. At the time there was very little to protect domestic violence victims such as herself and she feels that if there had been, Wayne would not have resulted in this crime. She feels a personal responsibility of him being in prison and she is fully in support of his release,” said Boone.

“Let him come home, let him come home,” said Sanders.

After hearing Thompson’s case, the Pardon and Parole Board members discussed the nature of the crime but ultimately agreed that Thompson no longer posed a threat to society.

“You have to either decide that this is such a heinous crime that he needs to die in prison or you have to look at the reality of the situation 42 years later and make a decision,” said Robert Reavis, Pardon and Parole Board member.

“The facts that brought him here will never ever ever change. The question is has Mr. Thompson changed,” said Kevin Buchanan, Pardon and Parole Board member. I don't believe he is a dangerous person. In my opinion, Mr. Thompson can not do any more to convince society that it would be safe for him to be on the streets.”

The members voted 4-1 to recommend parole with a 180-day step-down. Sean Malloy, the newest board member, was the only person to vote against parole.

Governor Kevin Stitt will now review the case and decide whether or not to grant a commutation. 

Background of the case:

Wayne Thompson was convicted at age 15 for the 1983 murder of his sister's alleged abuser.

Thompson’s case gained national attention and influenced juvenile justice after the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1988 ruling in Thompson v. Oklahoma, which deemed it unconstitutional to execute offenders under 16.

His death sentence was commuted to life with parole eligibility. Now 57, Thompson cleared Stage 1 of the parole process late last year.

The murder, committed in Grady County, involved Thompson and accomplices beating, shooting, and disposing of Charles Keene’s body in the Washita River.

Thompson and his accomplices admitted to being under the influence of drugs while committing the crime.

Keene was alleged to have abused Thompson’s sister for nine years.

The Department of Corrections investigative report provided to the board did not recommend parole.

Thompson has sought parole twice since the 1990s, citing remorse and rehabilitation, though previous attempts were denied due to the crime’s violent nature.