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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Parole officials stinging from criticism over the state's sentencing guidelines decided Wednesday that Mark Hacking will serve at least 29 years in prison before he's even considered for parole for killing his wife.
The state Board of Pardons and Parole determined Hacking will not get a parole hearing until Aug. 1, 2034, for shooting his wife, Lori, in the head last summer and disposing of her body in a trash bin.
"That hearing is just that, it's a hearing. There is no guarantee. He's waiting 30 years to have that hearing," said Parole Board Chairman Mike Sibbett.
"He'll only be reviewed at that time," said Board Administrator John Green. "But just because he's receiving the original hearing does not automatically mean he'll be released."
State officials have been criticized for the state's indeterminate sentencing guidelines. Hacking last month was sentenced to six years to life for first-degree murder, with the board deciding how much time he should ultimately serve.
Lori Hacking's parents, Thelma Soares and Eraldo Soares, and victim advocates were outraged over the possibility he could only serve six years in prison before possible being considered for parole.
Green said it was possible future members of the parole board could change this decision.
The Utah Sentencing Commission also is considering changing sentencing guidelines in September.
Hacking was hand delivered a copy of the board's decision Wednesday at his prison cell, Green said.
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
