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March 7, 2008 Parole Commission denies relief to murderers
State Attorney Steve Meadows announces the action of the Florida Parole
Commission in the cases of two men charged in the 1983 murder of Chipley
businessman, Buddy Cummings.
Wesley Briggs and Dean Wilson were convicted of First Degree Murder, in
separate trials, in the October 14, 1983, shooting of Cummings. Judith Loren
was tried separately and also convicted in the murder. The presentence
reports indicated that Loren offered Briggs a percentage of the insurance
money she would receive upon the death of her estranged husband. Wilson
bought ammunition for the firearm and accompanied Briggs to the Cummings
home where Briggs fired one shot to the back of Cummings’ head. Florida law,
at the time, called for a life sentence with the possibility of parole after
25 years.
At a hearing in Tallahassee, on March 5th, members of the Cummings family
and Deputy Chief Assistant State Attorney Joe Grammer spoke against the
parole of Briggs and Wilson. Wilson’s wife, whose wedding was in June, 2007,
at Wakulla Correctional Institution, spoke on behalf of her husband.
The parole examiner had recommended a release date of February, 2013, for
Wilson and a date of November, 2014, for Briggs.
After taking testimony, the Commission set the presumptive parole date for
Briggs as May 21, 2059, and Wilson’s date for November, 23, 2063. The cases
may be reviewed in 2012.
Judith Loren’s case will be heard by the Commission on April 9, 2008. |