Stephanie Ziegler, who was convicted in 2018 of negligent homicide after killing a woman and her unborn child while driving drunk, was denied parole. By. THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
The V.I. Parole Board granted three inmates parole during the board's latest hearing held December and continued in January, among them a an individual convicted on a possession of an unlicensed firearm charge, along with two men imprisoned for second-degree murder.
The board also denied nine parole requests, according to a release issued by the V.I. Bureau of Corrections Wednesday.
Nathaniel Hazel was one of two individuals imprisoned for second-degree murder who was granted parole. Hazel was arrested in October 2000 at the Aureo Diaz housing community following a shooting incident that left one man dead. At the time, current Senator Novelle Francis was deputy police chief.
In June 2017, the V.I.P.D. issued a press release seeking assistance in locating Hazel, who at the time was wanted for allegedly shooting a man several times in Frederiksted.
Joel Vicars, also imprisoned for second-degree murder, was granted parole as well. Vicars in September 2008 was charged with murder in connection with a homicide that occurred in Magens Bay. Earlier the same year, in March, Vicars was one of the most wanted men in the USVI before he was apprehended.
According to Manshoory Law, first-degree murders are the most serious and punished accordingly, involving premeditated murder and intentional murder. Second-degree murders are the next step down but still involve intent to harm or to kill. Third-degree murders are the lowest level of criminal homicide but can still result in serious sentences.
Among the nine individuals denied parole was Stephanie Ziegler, who on April 5, 2018 was driving under the influence of alcohol, crashed into a vehicle and killed 25-year-old Fatima Brown and her unborn child. The St. Croix community was angered by the drunk driver’s mugshot, which showed Ziegler smiling. On Dec. 14, 2018 she received the maximum five-year sentence for negligent homicide.
The hearing was first held in Dec. 2021 and continued on Jan. 13, 2022, according to B.O.C. During the Dec. hearing, four parole applicants were reviewed, while eight were reviewed on Jan. 13.
|
Inmate’s Name |
Offense(s) Committed |
Parole Status |
|
Abdul Pemberton |
Possession of an unlicensed firearm |
Parole Granted |
|
Stephanie Ziegler |
Negligent Homicide |
Parole Denied |
|
Shawn Akeem Joseph |
Voluntary Manslaughter |
Parole Denied |
|
Jahzeel Fenton |
First Degree Assault/Domestic Violence |
Parole Denied |
|
Inmate’s Name |
Offense(s) Committed |
Parole Status |
|
Nathaniel Hazel |
Second degree murder/parole revocation |
Parole Granted |
|
Joel Vicars |
Second degree murder/grand larceny |
Parole Granted |
|
Isaiah Simmons |
Third Degree Assault |
Parole Denied |
|
Richard Ireland |
First Degree Assault |
Parole Denied |
|
Charlesworth Gonsalves |
Second Degree Aggravated Rape/Child Abuse/DV |
Parole Denied |
|
Nicholas Albert |
First Degree Murder (while a minor)/Escape from Jail |
Parole Denied |
|
Jahmal Todman |
Possession of a Firearm in a School Zone |
Parole Denied |
|
Josiah Hodge |
Second Degree Murder/unauthorized possession of a firearm |
Parole Denied |
