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Governor Gives Tentative Parole To Inmate Sentenced To Life

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Gov. Mary Fallin has tentatively approved parole for an inmate who was sentenced to life in prison for a killing that occurred when he was 13.

Jesil Wilson was convicted of first-degree murder in the 1997 death of Mitchell Knighten of Tulsa, though Wilson was not the shooter. He is now 31.

Last year, the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board recommended parole for Wilson, provided he complete a vo-tech training program and serve 180 days in a work-release center. A governor's spokesman confirmed to the Tulsa World on Monday that Fallin has given tentative approval for parole.

Officials say Wilson must serve the remaining 180 days at the work-release center before his parole is official.

Wilson's older cousin, Zachary Ferguson, is serving a life sentence for Knighten's death.

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