IN 1988 KAREN EADS HILL, AGE 21, WAS ABDUCTED FROM THE CONVENIENCE STORE WHERE SHE WORKED ON ENTRANCE ROAD IN LEESVILLE, VERNON PARISH, LOUISIANA. HILL'S BODY WAS LATER DISCOVERED WITHIN VERNON PARISH IN KISATCHIE NATIONAL FOREST. HILL HAD BEEN ABDUCTED, RAPED, TIED TO A TREE, AND SHOT IN THE LEFT EYE. IN 1997 SAMUEL GALBRAITH WAS ARRESTED AND THEN LATER CONVICTED OF THE MURDER OF KAREN HILL. GALBRAITH WAS SENTENCED TO 71 YEARS IN THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS. MEMBERS OF THE LOUISIANA PARDON - PAROLE BOARD RECENTLY GRANTED GALBRAITH PAROLE AFTER SERVING LESS THAN 20 YEARS.

WE THE UNDERSIGNED, ARE CONCERNED CITIZENS WHO IN SIGNING THIS PETITION COMPEL LOUISIANA GOVERNOR JOHN BEL EDWARDS TO TAKE THE NECESSARY LEGAL STEPS TO ENSURE JUSTICE FOR KAREN HILL AND HER FAMILY BY DENYING SAMUEL GALBRAITH PAROLE. WE REQUEST A REVIEW OF THE ACTIONS OF THE MEMBERS OF THE LOUISIANA PARDON AND PAROLE BOARD WHO VOTED IN FAVOR OF GALBRAITH'S PAROLE. WE ALSO REQUEST THAT GOVERNOR EDWARDS SEEK TO CHANGE ANY LOUISIANA LAW THAT WOULD ENTITLE VIOLENT OFFENDERS THE RIGHT TO PAROLE PRIOR TO 85 % OF THEIR SENTENCE BEING SERVED. WE MAKE THESE REQUESTS OF GOVERNOR EDWARDS IN AN EFFORT TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND WELL BEING OF THE CITIZENS OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA.