Curtis Brownell, a man convicted of a brutal murder and assault in 1977, has once again been denied parole by the Illinois Prisoner Review Board. This decision comes after a unanimous vote to keep Brownell incarcerated until his next parole hearing in 2028. Brownell’s case has been marked by a series of parole denials, with his attempts to win his freedom having been rejected more than a dozen times since his original sentencing in 1978.
Key Takeaways:
- Curtis Brownell has been denied parole for the 17th time, with his next hearing scheduled for 2028.
- Brownell’s crimes include the murder of Louise Betts and the attempted murder of Kathy Brickey.
- The Illinois Prisoner Review Board’s decision was unanimous, reflecting strong opposition from the Betts and Brickey families and the Winnebago County State’s Attorney.
- The community and the victims’ families have consistently opposed Brownell’s requests for parole, with the Betts family leading efforts to keep him incarcerated.
- The decision underscores the community’s and the victims’ families’ desire for justice and the ongoing trauma associated with the parole hearings.
The tragic events that led to Brownell’s conviction began in September 1977 when he kidnapped, sexually assaulted, and murdered 16-year-old Louise Betts while she was hitchhiking along North Second Street in Loves Park. Betts’ body was discovered several months later in a rural field in Boone County. This horrific crime was followed by another attack on Kathy Brickey, a seven-month pregnant woman abducted from a Rockford laundromat. Brownell sexually assaulted Brickey and left her for dead, but both she and her baby survived.
The Illinois Prisoner Review Board has voted unanimously to deny parole for Curtis Brownell. He will be able to make another attempt in four years.https://t.co/RyNMcUJHVc
— Rock River Current (@RRCurrent) March 28, 2024
Brownell was sentenced to 100 to 300 years in prison for his crimes. Despite the severity of his actions and the impact on the victims’ families, Brownell has consistently sought parole, with his eligibility for parole hearings occurring every three to five years. This pattern of seeking release has been met with opposition from the victims’ families and legal authorities, including Winnebago County State’s Attorney J. Hanley.
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The decision to deny Brownell parole once again underscores the gravity of his crimes and the ongoing efforts to ensure justice for the victims and their families. The community’s response to Brownell’s parole requests has been significant, with initiatives such as petitions to keep him behind bars highlighting the enduring impact of his actions.
Brownell’s case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of justice and the lengths to which society will go to protect its most vulnerable citizens. His continued incarceration reflects the community’s commitment to ensuring that those who commit such heinous crimes face the full consequences of their actions.
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