At his fourth parole hearing held last Thursday at the Southeast Regional Correctional Facility in Pikeville, Gerald Wayne (J.B.) Bounds was told by State Board of Pardons and Parole member Yusuf Hakeem that he would not recommend he be released on parole due to the seriousness of the offense; that he would recommend Bounds be put off for two more years before being eligible for another hearing.
However, Hakeem’s vote is only one of  four needed to definitely deny Bounds of parole. Bounds has served 30 years and eight months of a life sentence for the first-degree murder of Sherman Wright which took place on Feb. 2, 1981.
As in Bounds’ 2010 parole hearing, this year’s hearing was held via teleconference with the single State Board of Pardons and Parole member Hakeem conducting the session from his Chattanooga office.
Though Hakeem will recommend to the remaining six board members that Bounds be held at least another two years, at least three other members of the seven-member board must vote concurrently with the recommendation. This would give Bounds a possible parole date of October 2013. The board’s final decision will be available in two to four weeks, as it is in any case.
During last week’s parole hearing, Hakeem started the proceedings by announcing that the board had received three letters in support for Bounds and seven letters in opposition.
In one of the letters of opposition, in response to the question of how Bounds could be given a life sentence, yet be considered for parole. Hakeem noted, “We are operating within the law of the state of Tennessee. At the time Mr. Bounds was incarcerated we had life; we did not have life without parole. And that meant that after 30 calendar years he would be eligible for parole.
“Now, this is not the first parole hearing that Mr. Bounds has had. He’s had, what we call ‘good-time.’ The law changed where he can receive what we call ‘good time.’ In other words, program participation, lack of disciplinary items, credit for jail time and those kind of things. As a result of that, he had his first parole hearing in 2002. After that point, he became eligible for parole.”
Hakeem then reviewed Bounds’ criminal and personal history, along with job he has had while in the institution. He then asked Bounds to give him his version of what happened on Feb. 2, 1981 between him and Wright.
“He had owed me some money, and we had had several discussions about it. I had seen him on Friday night, at my place of business. He came to me and said he was working on some things and he would have some money in a day or two. On Monday, the day it happened, I was going to DeKalb County. I saw a vehicle of a friend of mine at this business. I had never been in the business, so I really didn’t even know what was there; what kind of business it was,” Bounds stated.
“Anyway, I stopped and walked in. Just so happened this was a game room. And Mr. Wright was there. I asked if I could speak to him; he was playing a game and said ‘just a second.’ So I was talking to my friend there, and when he came, I was just going to talk to him in there, but he started out the door. So, as we were going out the door there was girl there, that he knew, and when she said something to him he stopped.
“I just went on outside the door and waited on him. He came out, and we started talking about this. I guess we lost our tempers, or whatever, and so I took a swing at him. When I did, he stepped back, and I missed. He put his hand in his pocket. I knew he had carried a gun, and so I had a gun, and I pulled my gun, and he didn’t. He put his hands out. I was mad, and I was going to hit him with my pistol. When I did, he grabbed it. Whether he hit my hand, or I pulled the trigger, anyway, it discharged and shot him and killed him,” Bounds said.
Hakeem asked, “You made a comment, on more than one occasion that you would kill Mr. Wright if he didn’t pay you your money; do you recall that?”
“No, sir. I didn’t do that,” replied Bounds. “That’s not true.”
“You were aware that not only did he owe you money, but he owed other people money and you wanted to get your money collected,” continued Hakeem.
“Yes, sir. That’s true,” said Bounds.
Hakeem continued, “So what you’re sharing with us it that you were going to talk with Mr. Wright within a business establishment, but he wanted to go outside?”
“He started outside, and I followed him,” answered Bounds. “He stopped to talk to this young lady, and I just stepped around him and went on outside. It wasn’t my idea to go outside, no.”
“My reason for asking you that,” continued Hakeem, “ is according to the records, you created a situation where you all could go outside and talk. Once you were outside, within seconds shots were heard.”
Again Bounds responded, “No, sir. That’s not true.”
Hakeem asked if other than his testimony, there was any other proof that this was an accident.
“At the trial, their original version was that I just called him out and shot him at six feet. Upon expert testimony, he had powder burns, and other technical terms, that it could’ve been within six inches or less,” said Bounds.
“I don’t know how people couldn’t have seen this, because we were in front of a glass building, a glass front, and I’ve never figured out how there wasn’t people who saw what happened,” he added.
“These questions that I raise came out of your appeal to the court, the criminal appeal that you see,” continued Hakeem, “the items outlined are in the record. I know you disagree with that, but that’s what’s in the record.”
Hakeem continued the review by stating the date of Bounds’ last parole hearing, along with that the board suggested he undergo a psychological test, which has since been done and programs Bounds has participated in since being incarcerated.
Then those present in support of Bounds were given the opportunity to speak. Of the six or seven people present, Sondra Williams, Bounds’ cousin, his niece Lisa Childress and long-time friend Anita Barrett asked the board to consider his release, all saying he was not a threat on society and that his family really needed him. Along with these family members, Bounds’ daughter Jessica Green and brother Billy Bounds were also present.
On behalf of the Wright family, Mr. Wright’s sister, Brenda Cantrell, was the first to speak.
“I understand that it’s been a long time. We don’t forget it’s been a long time,” Cantrell said in tears, “and I’m sure that Mr. Bounds feels that he’s paid his debt to society, and his family may need him. But we needed our brother also.
“There’s only 10 of us here today, but a few weeks ago there was a survey run in our local newspaper with the question of whether or not the people of DeKalb County thought Mr. Bounds should be let out of prison. The results of that was 83percent no and a 17percent yes. So not only are we a small representation that Mr. Bounds should not released, I feel like other people in our county support us, and have the same sentiments that we have; that he should not be let out.
“As a matter of fact, some of Sherman’s friends have contacted members of the family to let us know that they would possibly have to move if Mr. Bounds was let out,” she noted.
Also speaking on behalf of the Wright family was niece Cynthia Rhody.
After hearing from family members, Hakeem asked Bounds a few more questions, including what impact he felt his action had had on the family of Mr. Wright.
“I can just imagine; it’s been difficult,” replied Bounds. “I know, my own family, it’s been terrible. So I can only imagine what it’s been for them.
“I wish there was something I could say that would help in some way, but I don’t know what it would be.”
When asked if he was the same person today, Bounds replied, “No. I’ve learned a lot of patience.  I’ve don’t have the temper. I’ve learned a lot about myself, and what I used to be. That’s changed. I’m not the same person. My problem was anger. That’s the reason I took an anger management class.”
“The concerns we have is your temper; your perspective on the world, so to speak,’ said Hakeem, “You tell me that you’ve changed. But it’s meaningful to the board that programs such as the New Beginnings Program be completed.
“In a non-restricted environment on the street, what would make us think that you would be in control and not intimidate people or do things illegal?” asked Hakeem
Bounds responded, “I don’t know where this intimidation would come from. I don’t have anything against these people. I understand. I feel for these people. I don’t know them and they don’t know me. Why would I try to intimidate anybody? I’m an old guy, for Christ’s sake. I’d like to spend some time with my grandkids. I don’t gamble anymore. I don’t drink. I don’t do any of that stuff anymore. That’s not what I want to do. You can do that in here (prison) if you want to. None of my family do drugs. Most of them don’t drink. They don’t gamble. They don’t do any of those things. That’s the people I want to surround myself with,” he stressed.
Hakeem asked Bounds why he thought he should be granted parole.
Bounds replied, “I've always told the truth about what I did. I've never denied my responsibility. I’ve always tried to say what happened. I know it's a terrible thing. Thousands of times I've tried to figure out why. I wish if there was anyway I could have took that back a second later and I would have but once its done, its done. So I've tried to do my time. I've tried to do it right. I read a lot. I study things a lot. I've learned new things, crafts, computers, and whatever. I've tried to spend my time constructive. I've been here almost 31 years. I'm 64-years-old.
“If I’m permitted to leave here all I want to do is enjoy my family and friends that I have. I have some very good support from friends that I have known for my entire life. I don't feel that there's anything that would keep me from doing things right and I don't think there's any future in me being here. I don't think that would serve any purpose. I don't know what else I could do to help myself. I feel like the time has come that somebody should put some trust in me.”
Hakeem responded, “We know that you have been incarcerated for a long period of time. But you were incarcerated for first-degree murder. And the manner in which it has been described I would consider it calculated. In a manner in which it happened. The programs that you have been involved in, I think are good. The jobs that you've held are very good. But some of the things I would want to see as far as programs are concerned are programs like criminal thinking, thinking for a change. Programs that deal with the mind.
“Something that gives me great pause and great concern is your account of what took place, particularly when I compare that to the account that's in the appeals record. To me they're very different. Based on everything I can see and understand at this time, Mr. Bounds, I can't vote today to parole you, sir. Some of the things I think you need to do is the type of programs that deal with your mind. Though you have been here for a number of years, the Wright family has no contact, so to speak, with their loved one. When I asked about the impact on the families; you couldn’t imagine what the family might be going through.
“I listened as you made comments, but I did not hear any remorse on your part for what took place. Be mindful, I am only one vote and my colleagues may see it totally different. They may say you've met all the requirements; it’s time for you to go. That vote will take place over the next three or four weeks when they review the files. So my vote today is not final. But my vote today is to decline you for two years for seriousness of the offense with programming as I suggested dealing with the mind,” the parole board member stated.
Hakeem asked if Bounds understood his vote and if he had any question. Bounds replied, “Yes, sir, I do. Last year they put me off for one year, and I was wondering what had changed in that year.”
“From what I can see,” said Hakeem, “nothing has changed. But I was not one of the individuals who put you off for a year; I put you off for two years. As I said, the board may see it differently than I do. But, I don’t see a difference; that you’re ready to move back into society and not be a threat to society.”
At this point, Bounds’ file will go before the remaining six members of the State Board of Pardons and Parole to be reviewed, with each members casting a vote.
The deciding factor will come when four concurrent votes are received, which is what is required by law for an offense of this type.