Almost a week after they learned the man convicted of killing their loved one was to be released on parole, a Fort Dodge family is speaking out about the decision.
Troy T. Lee, 39, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and first-degree burglary in connection with the 2004 death of Bryan Hansen, 27, of Fort Dodge.
Hansen's family learned Friday that Lee was going to be released on parole.
"I'm extremely disappointed that he was granted parole," Hansen's sister, Danielle Carlson, said. "I wish he would have served more time. I don't think eight years is long enough for taking a life."
Lee was sentenced to 30 years in prison on both convictions in 2004.
Linda Goodno, Hansen's mother, said she was not only disappointed in the Parole Board's decision, but also Lee's sentence.
"He got 25 years for burglary and only five years for killing Bryan," she said. "It's injustice, especially when he admitted it."
At his parole hearing last Thursday, Lee, speaking via video link from Rockwell City, said that he killed Hansen on Feb. 4, 2004. He told the Parole Board, located in Des Moines, that killing Hansen was "the worst decision I've ever made in my life."
Though Lee's parole doesn't take effect until sometime within the next 30 days, Goodno said she feels nervous.
"I'm distraught and scared," she said. "It took me eight years to feel comfortable with going out, and I don't want to worry."
Carlson added that there will be a no-contact order issued between Lee and Hansen's family.
Before the Parole Board's decision, Goodno and Carlson created a Facebook page to spread the word about the parole hearing, and encouraged friends of Hansen's to send letters of support to the Parole Board.
Though the board decided to release Lee, Goodno said they were encouraged by the support they received from so many people.
"There were a lot of people commenting on the page and supporting Bryan," she said.
Goodno said the hardest part about Lee's release from prison is that it feels like old wounds have opened up.
"We're starting the grieving process all over again," she said. "I just want to ask everybody for their prayers for our family."