Two appointed to Texas parole board

By Mike Ward

AUSTIN – A former Lubbock County sheriff with 35 years’ experience in law enforcement was named Monday as chairman of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, the agency that decides which convicted criminals get early release on supervision from prison sentences and recommends clemency actions to the governor.

Gov. Greg Abbott announced that his appointment of David Gutierrez of Belton to head the seven-member parole board that oversees 12 parole commissioners who decide cases. The appointment of a replacement for longtime chair Rissie Owens of Huntsville had been anticipated for weeks.