Elderly Man Granted Parole After 1978 Execution-Style Killing of Kansas Trooper

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A 78-year-old man who was sentenced to prison for 46 years following his involvement in the 1978 murder of a Kansas state trooper was recently granted parole.

The Kansas Parole Board approved Jimmie K. Nelms for release several weeks following his hearing on March 6. This decision came during his ninth such review since he killed state trooper Conroy G. O'Brien on May 24, 1978.

The board "thinks that Mr. Nelms has the capability and willingness to meet the responsibilities expected from a lawful citizen and they believe there’s a good chance that releasing Mr. Nelms won’t harm either the community or him," stated Kansas Department of Corrections spokesperson David Thompson in an emailed statement on Friday.

The Kansas State Troopers' Association criticized the choice to free Nelms.

O'Brien was "loved by his community for being a compassionate young man who joined the police force with the best intentions," according to a statement from the association in a press release.

O'Brien halted a vehicle traveling above the speed limit early in the morning close to Matfield Green, approximately 44 miles east of Wichita, on the Kansas Turnpike. At that point, he was unaware that the trio inside was sought for an extensive series of armed robberies spanning several states, according to the association.

They pushed O'Brien out of his patrol car and into the ditch.

The association stated, "Nelms neutralized (O'Brien) and broke his skull as he pleaded for mercy," and added, "Nelms killed Conroy by firing two shots into his head using Conroy’s service pistol."

Later that same day, the suspects engaged in a gunfight with law enforcement officials prior to their arrest.

The association stated, "It doesn't escape notice when life sentences in Kansas become meaningless, even for those who kill police officers where guilt isn't in doubt." They added, "To the Prison Review Board: Please be aware that we will always remember your shameful and repulsive behavior. We sincerely hope you experience deep remorse moving forward every time you encounter a young Kansas State Trooper safeguarding our community by the roadside.”

Nelms was convicted in 1978 for first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping He was found guilty in 1979 for possessing a weapon illegally.

O’Brien had grown up in Abbyville, about 20 miles southwest of Hutchinson. At Fairfield High School and Sterling College, he participated in football and basketball. prior to enrolling at Wichita State University.

He was married, and his wife was expecting a child at the time of his death.

During a 2011 proceeding, his daughter, Neely Goen, addressed the review panel stating that she forgave Nelms and didn’t take a stance urging them one direction or another. She mentioned having exchanged messages with her father’s murderer, noting that they were engaged in reading "God's word" and praying regularly. Additionally, Nelms crafted earrings for Goen as gifts.

"I will eventually issue a public statement, but for now, we'll let this situation settle," Goen stated on Thursday via social media regarding Nelms receiving parole.

Her mother, Tanda O'Brien Ulm, who had gotten married again, stated in 2011 that she hoped Nelms would remain behind bars.

“I also passed away that day,” she shared with the board in 2011. “Since then, I have not been the same.”

At the time of the offense, Nelms was 31 years old. The co-defendant Walter Myrick was 25 then. Myrick, who was likewise found guilty of killing O'Brien, passed away in prison back in 2009. Another participant, Stanford Swain, aged 21 during the incident, got out of jail in 1983 following his plea to reduced charges and testified for the prosecution.