Ex-Tulsa Police Officer Closer To Parole In Crossbow Slaying

Tuesday, January 30th 2007, 6:34 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board will decide next month whether a former police officer convicted in a 1982 crossbow slaying should be released from prison.

The board voted last week to approve the first phase of Jimmie Dean Stohler's request for early release. Because he was convicted of a violent offense, a second hearing will be required.

Prosecutors and members of Michele Powers' family will get to speak to the board as well.

Powers died six days after she was shot in the chest with a poisoned crossbow bolt, or arrow, while she stood in the parking lot at her apartment complex.

The 53-year-old Stohler was the only person tried in the case to be convicted.

He told prosecutors he was paying $400 to Jack Ensminger Junior to kill Powers, but Ensminger and former police Officer Robert Doss were acquitted.

Stohler allegedly plotted to kill Powers, an ex-girlfriend of Doss, because of a custody dispute involving their son.