WAVE 3 - Louisville, KYRetired detective upset over possible parole for convicted murderer

Retired detective upset over possible parole for convicted murderer

By Marisela Burgos - bio | email
Posted by Charles Gazaway - email

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - A retired Louisville Police detective is concerned a man sentenced to life for murder will be let out on parole. Monday, the full parole board will review the case of Jack Holland, who was convicted for the 1980 murder of 34-year-old Barbara Helm. 

According to Walt Oster, a retired LPD detective, Helm went missing on January 20, 1980, Super Bowl Sunday. Four days later, officers found Helm's body in Oldham County. Oster said Helm had been kidnapped, beaten and shot. Her body was dumped in a ditch near Rose Island Road by Belknap Beach.

While it has been 20 years since Oster retired, his mind never retired from the Helm murder case. Oster said he watched the Helm family fall apart because of the murder and he does not want Holland to walk free. 

"He had 31 miles (when he drove to Oldham County) to think about, ‘should I kill her? Should I just let her out and threatened her?’ But, he chose to take her life, so why should he get out?" Oster questioned.

Holland has been up for parole twice. Each time, parole was deferred.  According to Jennifer Brislin with the Kentucky Department of Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, a two-member panel couldn't reach a consensus this week regarding Holland's case. That’s why it was sent to the full parole board for review on Monday. 

"Just for this man to be considered for parole is disgusting for me," Oster said, who believes Holland’s record speaks for itself. 

Oster said Holland was out on parole when he killed Helm and while in prison, Holland beat up a key witness in the case. Oster told WAVE 3 he is not the only one concerned and showed us several letters from retired officers, Helm's family, and Kentucky State Police Commissioner Rodney Brewer. The letters urged the parole board not to consider releasing Holland from prison.

At Monday's hearing, the parole board will consider several things, including Holland's record, his behavior while in prison, and if he has held a job while behind bars. According to Lisa Lamb with the Kentucky Department of Corrections, Holland has held various jobs, including janitor and working for the vocational auto body shop. Holland has completed several programs, including Prison to the Streets, and on the job training. Holland was written up seven years ago for using disrespectful language.

The parole board could decide to let Holland out on parole, defer his case again, or be ordered to finish out his life sentence. He is currently housed at the Kentucky State Penitentiary at Eddyville.

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