The Weld County District Attorney published a letter on his website expressing his displeasure about the early release of a man who served 11 years of a 24-year prison sentence.
District Attorney Michael Rourke said early releases have become more common.
The letter tells the story of Jimmy Olivares, 41, a reputed gang member tried and convicted of attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault and possession of an illegal firearm. Olivares was convicted of shooting Edward Elligan, 27, in the stomach near the Greeley Mall in 2004. The shooting was the result of a drug deal gone wrong, prosecutors said.
Olivares was sentenced to spend 24 years in prison, the letter states, meaning he could have remained behind bars until 2029. But in December 2015, he became eligible for parole after only nine years of his sentence.
“Truth in sentencing is the idea in which criminals serve every day of their sentence,” the letter stated. “We realize the importance of parole eligibility and even give credit to those who are released for good behavior. But violent criminals, especially those repeat offenders like Olivares, should serve every day of their sentence.”
.
