Killer of Goldsboro woman could be paroled this year
By Gene Price
Published in News on February 9, 2005 2:18 PM
A man who was sentenced to life plus 40 years in 1984 for the murder and kidnapping of a Goldsboro woman could be paroled this summer, according to the N.C. Department of Correction.
Garfield Noah Prevette, now 50, was convicted in the death of Goldie Jones, who met him through her voluntary prison ministry. The 61-year-old woman was found dead in her home. She had been bound, gagged and sexually mutilated with a pair of scissors.
Prevette, 29 and on parole at the time, already had a long prison record. He had been sentenced to "a minimum of 12 years" less than 51/2 years earlier for attempted rape.
There had been other convictions, including assaults on elderly women, indecent exposure, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, possession of a controlled substance and attempts to escape from prison.
Had Prevette been sentenced under today's rules, he would never have been eligible for parole. But under the "Fair Sentencing" rules of that time, a "life-termer" was eligible for parole consideration in 20 years.
The extra 40-year sentence Prevette was given for kidnapping was vacated by the Supreme Court in July of 1986.
Inmates are subject to the rules in effect at the time of their sentencing.
Prevette's future will be in the hands of the three-person Parole Commission. If two of the three members favor his release, he goes free.
Prison records show Prevette has had 13 infractions while serving time, including three escape attempts.
Retired Superior Court Judge Donald Jacobs was the district attorney who prosecuted Prevette in the murder trial. Contacted by the News-Argus about the possible parole, Jacobs declared that the man should never be set free. He described Prevette as "a menace to society, especially elderly women."
Those wishing to express their views can write to members of the Parole Commission at 4222 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C., 27699-4222. The commission is headed by Juanita Baker, a 30-year state employee and wife of the former sheriff of Wake County.
Serving with Mrs. Baker are Jewyl Dunn, another career employee of the Department of Correction, and Charles Mann Sr., who has more than 30 years of service with the state in the field of paroles and probation.