After briefly fleeing with the camp’s rented Oldsmobile and thousands of dollars in traveler’s checks, Jacob Wideman finally turned himself in and admitted that he had stabbed his roommate, Eric Kane, while they were in Flagstaff for summer camp. This terrible incident occurred in 1986, when both of them were 16 years old.
Although Kane’s family wanted him locked up for life, Wideman was ultimately sentenced to 30 years in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years. The moment Wideman had dreamed of finally came when he was released from prison on parole in 2016, after his appeals were repeatedly rejected by the parole board.
Jacob Wideman’s story is chronicled in a podcast from The Marshall Project called “Violation.” If you’ve listened to the podcast, you may already know what happened to Wideman after parole revocation. Let’s find out the real facts about him in our post!
What Happened to Jacob Wideman After He Received Parole?
Unfortunately, Jacob Wideman had to go back to prison and possibly spend the rest of his life behind bars after serving approximately 6 months on parole. That said, he was proven to have violated the rules as ordered by his parole officer, i.e., failing to make an appointment with a psychologist on a certain day.
In addition, parole officers also received complaints that Wideman had committed numerous violations of the conditions of his parole, which, if this occurred, would result in him losing his freedom. Finally, the parole board decided to send Wideman back to prison, where he would likely stay for the rest of his life.
Through the Marshall Project podcast, Wideman revealed that he had not actually disobeyed the rules ordered by the parole board. However, he is trying to find out if his insurance will cover the cost of his meetings with a psychologist determined by the parole board. If not, he will try to find a cheaper alternative.
Wideman also revealed that he tried to call the psychologist twice and left messages, but the doctor didn’t call him back in time for the appointment. However, his self-defense was not considered, and parole officers arrested him anyway and sent him back to prison.
What Was Jacob Wideman Thinking Once He Was Re-Arrested After Parole Revocation?
For Wideman, this was such a hard blow that it made him lose all hope in his life, and he had to live behind bars just because he failed to make an appointment with the psychologists pointed out by the parole board.
After hearing information that there are certain parties who have complained to a parole office regarding violations he had committed while on parole, Wideman became increasingly aware that people didn’t want him to be released from prison. If he is completely free, he is also sure that they will continue to try to find a way to send him back to prison.
The complaint received by the parole officer absolutely buried the fact that Wideman has actually conducted more than two dozen different conditions of parole, as ordered by the parole board regarding the rules, including:
- Not driving
- No contact with minors
- Don’t drink alcohol.
- Don’t leave the house without permission.
- Wears an ankle monitor so the state can track his whereabouts.
Actually, Wideman did not really know when he was first released and served parole. However, he argued that his freedom only lasted nine months. And there were certain people on the outside who were continuously trying to get him back in prison.
Is It Fair for Jacob Wideman to Go Back to Prison After Being on Parole?
The fact that Jacob Wideman had to go back to prison and possibly serve a life sentence definitely received a lot of attention, especially given the many false accusations he received from certain parties, as he revealed on the Marshall Project podcast.
Josh Hamilton, Wideman’s attorney, also faced the parole board to confront where justice lies in Arizona’s justice system and whether this is all they can do to offenders. He also emphasized that this is not a game; this is the life of Jacob Wideman.
Even though he was proven guilty of killing his friend, don’t bury the fact that he has already served the 30-year prison sentence imposed by the judge. For Hamilton, it would be unfair if he had to go back to prison and be sentenced to life in prison simply for failing to make an appointment with a psychologist determined by the parole board.
Additionally, Hamilton also guessed whether this was a scenario that had been designed by a handful of people, including law enforcement. He also demanded the parole board release Jacob Wideman and revoke the order sending him back to prison. If he actually violated the parole rules, he should be punished according to legal requirements.
However, someone who commits murder as Jacob Wideman did to Eric Kane can be motivated by various facts, such as a dark childhood and deep trauma due to the physical and mental violence he received, as well as various other factors that can be taken into consideration in punishing a murderer.
From Jacob Wideman’s story, we seem to be drawn into a complicated dilemma regarding the current criminal justice system, where we see someone committing terrible crimes as if they do not deserve to be free again. It is also a big question whether the current justice system makes us safe and whether the parole system can fully help us determine what justice we should get.
A bookworm and researcher especially related to law and citizenship education. I spend time every day in front of the internet and the campus library.
