Montana News: AP-MT-Parole-Woods

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r n AP-MT--Parole-Woods     04-08 0197
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^Board grants release to Kalispell man convicted of two murders<
^

     HELENA, Mont. (AP) _ A Kalispell man who was convicted of
killing two men in 1978 has been granted parole.

     The Montana Board of Pardons and Parole says Jacob Woods, a
Montana State Prison inmate, can be released upon completion of
prerelease and three months of ``transitional living.‘‘

     The board says Woods must undergo random drug testing and
regular chemical dependency and mental health counseling. He also
must complete partner/family member assault classes, and comply
with other conditions.

     The 45-year-old Woods was convicted of two counts of murder in
1981.

     Court records say 17-year-old Ronald Johnson and 21-year-old
Phillip Kessner owed Woods money for drugs, and he drove into them
while they were riding a bicycle on U.S. Highway 93 near the
Kalispell airport.

     Johnson and Kessner were discovered on the side of the road the
next day and taken to the hospital; one was dead on arrival, the
other died about a half-hour later.

     Authorities arrested Woods more than two years later in
Oklahoma.

     ___

     By AP writer Katie Oyan

     

     (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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