April 18, 2024 • 25 mins
Leo Schofield’s parole hearing in Tallahassee, FL, April 17th, 2024 with reporting from Gilbert King and Kelsey Decker.
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Speaker 1 (00:02):
Do you want to do it?
Speaker 2 (00:03):
You want me to do it, you can do it.
Speaker 3 (00:05):
Okay, Okay. We are here at the at the building
where the parle hearing is going to be taking place.
It is eight forty six. I think Leo's case is
going to be heard around ten. Yeah, and I'm right
here with Gilbert to Yeah.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
I think we should sit in the back this time.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
Oh, I will need to be right by the podium.
So make sure next is fine, okay, no problem this, yeah, sure.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
So we're at the break here. They've give him like
a five minute break, and I think the Schoolfield case
will be called very first next. Everybody seems to be here.
Cup is ready, some people from CDP. Chrissy is here,
and Jacob Orr will also be I'm here speaking for
(01:07):
the state in the tenth I'm not sure if anybody's
going to be calling in from the Saum families. I
don't think so. But that's about all we know right now.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
Thank you, Good morning everyone. It's ten thirty five am.
We're back on the record. This is Melinda Kunrod with
the Commission on a Fender review. I'm joining with Commissioner
Davison and Commissioner Whitant we're about to start the full
portion of the docket. We're all free. Commissioners will be voting.
The first case that we're calling is Item twenty two
on page twelve, Leo Schofield. This is an effective interview
(01:40):
that was conducted on March twenty seven, twenty twenty Ford
Everglades CI the investigators recommending parole. Good morning, Jods, we'd
be happy here for you.
Speaker 4 (01:49):
Good morning, Commissioner. It's my name is Scott Kopp. I'm
the attorney for Leo Schofield. I'm not going to say
much until the end. Want I want some folks that
mean a lot to Leo who are present. There's three
that are present. They're going to speak first. I'd like
to call Sergeant Simmons.
Speaker 5 (02:07):
Good morning.
Speaker 6 (02:09):
My name is Sergeant James Simmons. I'm currently employed at
Jefferson Correctional Institution. I've been with the department twenty eight years.
Of those twenty eight years, I've known Leo Schofield for
twenty seven of those years. Of them twenty seven years,
me and Leal Scofield has worked together for the last
ten years. Lei Schofield was a great inmate at Hardy
(02:32):
Correction to institution. He was a great assets there. I
know Mm Schofield had took the theology class to earn
a degree in that. I know he had a large
Bible class.
Speaker 5 (02:43):
He also helped me.
Speaker 6 (02:48):
In the locke and key department. I was the lock
and key sergeant. He was my orderly. One day we
were working pulling a lockout and I was a real
bad diabetic blushuger dropped as I was falling forward. They
tell me that Leo Scofield caught me before I hit
the concrete floor and placed me in a chair, and
(03:10):
he knew I was a bad diabetic, and he took
the meter out of my pocket and placed it on
my device to see what my blood sugar was and
it was very low. And he got me medical attention
quickly and got me some staff in there to help
me out. And to this day I am very thankful
Leo Scofield was there to help me. I know Leo
Schofield has a great support staff with his wife and
(03:31):
daughter and other family members. In my professional opinion before that,
Leo Schofield make a great candidate for Parot.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
Thank you, sergeant, Thank you for your service.
Speaker 4 (03:41):
Thank you, Sergeant David Welch.
Speaker 7 (03:44):
Good morning, Donald, Commissioner's med Him, Chair Commissioner Davidson, Commissioner Wyatt.
I stand before you today on behalf of Leo Schofield
because this is the case that I know in and out,
because I met Leo when I was seventeen years old
when I first entered Department of Corrections. Leo Schofield met
me off the bus when I was there, scared, didn't
know where I was going to go, what I was
(04:06):
going to do, what to do with my life from
then on, just received a natural life sentence at that point,
with a possibility of pro after twenty five years. I
am grateful for the grace of Parol. I'm a proud
member of CTP. But Leo Schofield was an educational clerk
back then. This was in nineteen ninety four. Again, I
was seventeen years old. I'm now forty seven. Leo Schofield
(04:27):
told me when I first met him I was going
through orientation process that I could do my time a
couple of ways. I could be like others and just
go play poker, play basketball and run around the reck
yard and waste my life. Or I could make the
best of it and that's what I did. He got
me an education as an orderly So from then on
I got my GED. I actually graduated, got my GED
(04:48):
before I would have graduated high school on the street.
From then on he continued to encourage me and impress
me to go into vocational trades. So that started me
on the bath that ultimately led me to be here
in front of you today, to do my time wisely,
to take advantage of opportunities to get in education and
to do something with my life. Leo Schofield also signed
me up for Chiro's Prison Ministry. I went through a
(05:11):
Chiros retreat there. Didn't know anything about Chiros, but Leo
signed me up for that and told me it would
be something good for my life. That in turn changed
my life because it's surrendered my life to Jesus Christ.
And from then on now today I stand before you.
Haven't been released, haven't been terminated from Parol. I'm now
the chair of Chiro's Prison Ministries at Avon Parks CI.
In fact, tomorrow I have thirty six men that are
(05:32):
under me that I'll be leading in to do Chiros
fifty seven at Avon Park. So from then on, from
the very first time I met Leo until today, I
am now a still citizen volunteer. I go back into
the prisons every month. I'm leading Chiros fifty seven next month.
And the education I received because of the influence of
mister Leo Schofield when I first met him as a teenager.
I've known him for thirty years. His character demeanor have
(05:54):
never changed one bit, and I just know, out of
all respect to the offense and the life that was
lost in this case, Leo Schofield is not a threat
to society in any kind of way. If Leo Schofield
is released, I can guarantee you that I will be
there for him in Tampa at Noah's house. I can
guarantee you that he will participate in CTP programs and
also be here in Tallahausee to represent others. Leo Schofield
(06:14):
will be a benefit if you guys are give him
the grace of prol today. I'm just simply asking, as
someone that knows him for a long time, to give
him that chance, because I believe in Leo Schofield. I
know as the only request that you guys asked of
me to not let you down. Leo Schofield likewise will
not let you down if you're grind the Groce pro.
Thank you for a looting me to speak.
Speaker 1 (06:32):
Thank you, mister Welch.
Speaker 5 (06:33):
Thank you. Jeff Reuter.
Speaker 8 (06:37):
My name is Jeffrey Reuter, CTP Alumni, Noah's House Community Outreach,
House Coordinator, Commissioner, Kunrod, Commissioner, Dason Commissioner. Why. I've known
Leo for well over a decade. We were students together
in numerous classes. We facilitated classes together, we lived in
the dorm together, we got recreation together. We just lived
in prison together. And I know firsthand what that involves.
(07:00):
And Leo was always he always stayed the course and
no matter what came at as he had a clear
head and solid judgment. This is a very unique case,
and I know that Leo's heart goes out to his wife, Michelle.
Our hearts go out to Michelle and her families. So
Leo is very mindful that as well. He worked first
(07:21):
hand with me with the Peyton Tutthill and Peyton Tudhill
Foundation and Miss Tutthill. He recorded a record for her,
turned over, recorded a whole record, turned over copyrighted the
record and then sent the record to Miss Tuthill where
recorded that music at Hearty CI and now that's part
of the foundation's story where they actually helped raise his
(07:43):
money for the children of scholarship victims. I know that
we're not here to determine guilt or innocence, but ken Leo,
pursuing to nine forty seven, can Leo conducted himself as
a citizen, as a free citizen, as a responsible citizen.
And I submit that he can. Pastor Tony Parker and
I from Noah's Community Outreach, we've been talking about Leo
(08:05):
for the past two weeks. There's a brand new house
at Noah's House. There's four guys in it right now.
Gregory Samuels, who was released yesterday, was the newest guy
in the house. He came yesterday. So we have a
bed for Leo at the new house where I'm the
coordinator at that house. We have an all star team there.
We will help lead and guide Leo post release if
(08:28):
you grant him grace today, and that is my humble request,
would you please grant Leo grace today? Thank you, thank you.
Speaker 4 (08:36):
I'm not sure who's on the phone from.
Speaker 5 (08:38):
CTP, but you got about a minute.
Speaker 9 (08:40):
Could you pick one person to speak.
Speaker 10 (08:42):
Please yeah, good morning, Convintions Choy Martin, thank you, missus,
Missus Coonroh, and Missus Davis and mister Waynet. Thanks for
the opportunity to speak on Leo's behalf. My condoc is
to the victim, Michelle and her family as well. I
need to be met Leo in October two thousand and
two at South Bay where he taught and played guitar
(09:04):
in the chapels. In the choirt, Leo also taught guys
to play the guitar. He continues to do so today
in CTP. I see him on a weekly basis. He's
thriving in the program. I believe it was a group
called the Old Jays that sang a song that says
I love music. I want to say to you today
with all due respect, that Leo loves music as well,
(09:25):
and he loves it so much that he's willing to
give his time and energy to help others learn to
play the guitar and have a love for music as well.
I believe that he's an excellent candidate for parole, and
I believe that he is epitome of a model prisoner
that would translate into being successful citizen. And society. I
respectfully request that you parole him today. Thank you for
(09:48):
your time of consideration.
Speaker 4 (09:49):
I'm not going to Labor commissioners what you already know.
We've had our meetings you for view to pack it.
I think you pretty much know what you want to do,
and I suspect you're going to do the right thing,
and I trust you to do that. I can't say
more than what these men have said and what you've read.
Leo has continued to achieve and exceed expectations wherever he's
(10:12):
been the one thing I do want to address, if
you do grant him parole, which I believe you're going
to do, I want to address the walkout date, because
it's very important. It's very important to Leo, it's very
important to all of us. He needs to go as
soon as possible. Thirteen days. He needs to go April thirtieth,
not in June, not two more months. If that becomes
(10:35):
the walkout date, that, in my opinion, is merely punitive.
It serves no purpose whatsoever with that. I'll turn the
podium over to the state.
Speaker 1 (10:47):
Thank you very much. Now we're going to move to
those in opposition. Mister Orr is here and do we
have anyone online wishing to speak? If so, pressed our
six go, oh, good morning. Are you speaking on the
Schofield case?
Speaker 11 (11:04):
Yes, but I'm not in opposition. I'm his brother. I
tried to call in last year and I wasn't able
to talk. I just wanted to say that my brother
has been he's been doing a lot of great things
in prison, but he was doing a lot of great
things before he went to prison. I didn't have much
(11:25):
of a father, so he basically raised me. And I
just wanted to be there for him for whenever I could,
because I know he's a good man, a good person,
and he's one of the only reasons why I've been
(11:46):
able to make it through this life. And I just
wanted to I just wanted to say thank you for
an opportunity to get him out of prison. And I
pray that you guys do the right thing today. And
that's all I ask.
Speaker 1 (12:07):
And what is your name?
Speaker 11 (12:08):
My name is Jason Schofield.
Speaker 1 (12:10):
All thank you, all right, mister Orr from you, Good morning, commissioners.
Good morning.
Speaker 12 (12:17):
My name is Jake or I'm an assistant state attorney
in the tenth Judicial Circuit. It's good to be with you. Again.
Last year, I addressed you regarding this case, and I
told you then that you cannot pursue justice without first
pursuing truth. And I believe that to be a true statement,
and I think that it has a particular relevance in
this case. The reason being there's been a whole lot
(12:38):
of media attention. As you know, there's been TV shows,
print media, multiple multiple episode podcasts, and I'm reading that
there's going to be more. There's going to be a
TV drama series maybe, and some sort of novels in
the works. It's all very entertaining and in truth, it's
an interesting case. I'm not going to go into all
the facts because I think you're kind of I'm familiar
(13:00):
with some of them, but it's a circumstantial case, lots
of twists and turns, and the storytelling related to it
has been outstanding. However, the truth telling has been unacceptable.
An example of that that involves this commission happened in
May of twenty twenty when Jerry Hill addressed you regarding
the case. Mister Hill recited certain facts of the case,
(13:23):
including going into who found the body in this case,
and I've pulled the transcript and I just want to
read a couple things that mister Hill told you. He
told you quote Missus Schofield's body was discovered in the
canal located in a hilly wooded area on the morning
of February twenty seventh, eighty seven, by Leo Schofield Senior.
Speaker 4 (13:45):
Close quote.
Speaker 12 (13:46):
Later in his presentation, mister Hill told you that Leo
was driven by an inter force and he said he
felt drawn to that area and felt Michelle was calling
out to him. He said he had told Detective Russell,
and I'm still quoting here, told Detective Russell that his
daughter in law was within a certain distance. Now, the
podcast that's got the most attention covering this case covered
(14:07):
that hearing in twenty twenty. They even used some of
the audio, but they got it wrong. They edited out
mister Hill telling you that the body was found by
Schofield Senior. They edited out mister Hill telling you that
he was searching for his daughter in law. They played
select clips about Leo searching, and then the narrator came
(14:28):
in and said said this, Jerry Hill gets it wrong
in a major way. The narrator stated that Jerry Hill
made it sound like the body was found by the defendant,
Leo Schofield Junior. Now take a minute and focus on
that reporting. Obviously that's not what happened you were here.
But it's worse than that, because this is not argumentative
(14:50):
argument or interpretation of facts of the record. It's it's
not a narrative told from a particular point of view
that is one hundred and eighty degrees opposite of what
happened in front of it. It's false. This should cause
concern for anybody that thinks they know facts about this
case because they heard a podcast, read something on social
(15:12):
media or the internet, or even a newspaper article. Because
good storytellers have picked up this case and they've told
stories that are incomplete, that misrepresent the actual evidence in
the case, and sometimes are false, you are reading, or
more likely hearing, a very compelling story that has no
(15:33):
fidelity to the truth. Today, we've gone through one black
and white example that involved this commission, but there are many,
many others when you get into the facts of the case. Now,
why am I telling you this? Why is it relevant
to today? Because my one ask of you is, whatever
decision you make, don't base it on some sensational media
(15:53):
accounts that are set to dramatic music. Base it on
truth in the criminal justice system, trial courts, appellate court's
parole commission, whatever it is, it's of the utmost importance
that we always pursue truth because it's our only chance
at pursuing justice. This case has been reviewed by multiple courts,
(16:15):
multiple trial judges, multiple panels of appellate judges for over
thirty years, and there's a difference between what they do
in those reviews and the entertainment industry. In the court,
you can't edit out the facts you don't like. You
can't edit the facts to fit your storyline. What those
judges have done has reviewed this case based on the
(16:35):
actual transcript, the actual evidence, and the law, and in
all those reviews, every time they've determined there is sufficient
evidence to support this conviction. Now, in the interest of fairness,
I think it's important that I also tell you that
I'm not telling you about those falsehoods in the media
for you to hold them against mister Schofield. That's not
(16:57):
my intention. He did not write those stories, he didn't
edit the audio. I told you about those falsehoods so
you could focus on the truth. And truth is from
what I know he's been an outstanding inmate. Sounds like
it's got an incredible support system, and you should consider
all that. I also know that you should consider that
he was convicted of a terribly violent crime, and you
(17:19):
know that you must use caution before you release such
an individually. I guess what I'm saying is, in the end,
if you determine that justice requires he be parolled or
not based on an honest review of the evidence, the law,
the time he's served, and all the factors that you
would consider in any other case, and you do that
(17:42):
with an honest review, then justice will be served. That's
all anyone could ever ask of you. You have a
tough job. I thank you for your service to our state,
and I thank you for your time this morning.
Speaker 1 (17:53):
Thank you, Miss jore. Do we have either Ricky or
Jesse Soum online? If so, ProStar six and Muture film
all right here, and then we'll perceive that the vote
is starting with mister Dason.
Speaker 5 (18:13):
In the matter of Leo Schofield.
Speaker 13 (18:15):
I've had the opportunity to review this case, and it's entirety.
I've listened very closely to the testimony in support as
well as the testimony in opposition here today. Today is
not the first aid that I've had the opptinnity to
give input into this case. The last time this case
(18:36):
was before us, my vote was to extend mister Schofield's
ppr D by twenty four months and to refer him
to the Corrections Transition Program at the Everglades Correctional Institution.
How real, the vote of this commission was to extend
by twelve months, which was set the new ppr D
(18:58):
at June twenty five, twenty twenty four, and in agreement
to refer mister Scholfield to the Corrections Transition Program at
the Everglades Correctional Institution. Since that time, mister Scholfield has
participated in the CTP program, has done well, and I
(19:22):
think that he has greatly benefited from his time there.
I think that he will continue to benefit from his
time in the corrections Transition program if he continues to
serve until the PPRD date that this commission set, which
is June twenty five, twenty twenty four. So I know
(19:43):
that there was some question here about a walkout date,
and I think that that walkout date should be consistent
with the PPRD that this commission set less than a
year ago. That datea is not punitive. That date is
necessary for moving mister Scholfield toward a successful parole if
(20:09):
he has paroled here today.
Speaker 5 (20:12):
So as mister Orr has requested my.
Speaker 13 (20:15):
Honest review of this case, and that is my honest
review of this case. So my vote here today is
not a question of guilt or innocence. That is the
province of the judicial system. This case has been litigated
both in the trial as well as the appella arenas,
and that determination is that mister Scholfield is guilty.
Speaker 5 (20:36):
Of first degree murder. Today, my vote is.
Speaker 13 (20:43):
To parole mister Scholfield to the max on June twenty five,
twenty twenty four, Terms four and five.
Speaker 1 (20:53):
Thank you Commissioner.
Speaker 14 (20:54):
White, Thank you man, Thank you all for here testimony
today as it relates to mister Schofield, and I too
have reviewed this case as a and I'm familiar with
the case. I've had meetings regarding the case, and during
the last Commission action I stressed the importance of programming.
Mister Schofield has been incarcerated for a long period of time.
A lot has changed since then, so I felt it
(21:15):
important that he gets some programming from the CTP program.
Since his admission into that program, he's done well. He's
completed numerous classes. The testimony here today, of course, speaks
highly of him as far as his interactions with those
in the program in review. In this case, it's entirety
considering all things, and I too support the court systems
(21:38):
and their findings.
Speaker 5 (21:39):
Upon my review this case, my.
Speaker 14 (21:41):
Vote today is parol to the max April thirty, twenty
twenty four, Reasons four and five.
Speaker 1 (21:48):
And after review the entire record and hearing all the
statements both the opposition and support, and my vote would
be to parole to the max for April thirty, twenty
twenty four, Reasons four and five. Mister Davison, What are
your conditions?
Speaker 13 (22:02):
Yes, The special conditions are entering complete the Noah Community Outreach.
Speaker 5 (22:06):
Program for a period of one year.
Speaker 11 (22:09):
Agree.
Speaker 13 (22:09):
Mandatory mental health and substance of use evaluation and treatment
as necessary.
Speaker 1 (22:14):
Agree.
Speaker 13 (22:14):
Agree Anger and stress management evaluation and treatment as necessary.
Speaker 1 (22:18):
Agree.
Speaker 13 (22:19):
Agree six months community controlled during the Noah Community Outreach Program,
followed by eighteen months of curfew ten pm to six am.
Speaker 5 (22:28):
Agree.
Speaker 13 (22:28):
Agree participate in the after care components of the FIU
Alumni Program. And the Noah Community Outreach Program. Agree no
contact with the victims family and case number eighty eight
twenty three forty six. Agree NAAA three times per week
for the first year, two times per week thereafter.
Speaker 5 (22:47):
Agree pay restitution to.
Speaker 13 (22:49):
Be determined the case number eighty eight, that's twenty three
forty six. Agree and mandatory attendance at the first supervision
before the Florida Commission offend of review unless otherwise excused
for good costs by the Commission or the parole officer.
Speaker 5 (23:05):
I agree.
Speaker 13 (23:05):
I don't have any additional terms.
Speaker 5 (23:08):
That's terms.
Speaker 1 (23:10):
Thank everyone, take a real brief break so that the cameras.
Speaker 11 (23:14):
Can be very movement.
Speaker 13 (23:16):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (23:26):
Leo is being paroled and he'll be getting out of
everyglades on April thirtieth.
Speaker 9 (23:33):
What happened today. Obviously it's a good thing, but it's
just a step, a step on a much longer road.
Leo is going to be paroled. Then I'll go to
a halfway house. But he's not free, and people need
to understand he's still a convicted murderer.
Speaker 11 (23:50):
He is not free.
Speaker 9 (23:51):
He's gotten all kinds of restrictions and all kinds of hoops.
He's going to have to jump through, and it's going
to be extremely difficult. While it's a good thing in
a sense, it's prison without bars, is what it is.
And some folks have extreme difficulty doing it because you
look like you're free and you can go out in
(24:12):
public and you can do certain things. But he's going
to literally have to account for literally.
Speaker 4 (24:19):
Every minute of his day and he has to that
permission to do everything.
Speaker 9 (24:24):
Try living that way.
Speaker 5 (24:26):
So the fight now turns.
Speaker 9 (24:28):
To looking into getting him exonerated, but he's in for
a very difficult time, make no mistake about it.
Speaker 15 (24:43):
You want to walk and talk for a minute, sure,
get us up crying, you're loving The whole entire day
is exhausting. You know, you think you're going to be
calm and cool and relaxed, and they start talking.
Speaker 13 (25:00):
And in the tone and.
Speaker 15 (25:02):
You're the emotions and the butterflies just kick in and
you just starting oh, here come the tears, Here come
the tears, and uh so it's a lot. It's ah,
it's hard to put into words the level of emotion
that I feel right now. Like a lot of people
are saying congratulations and yeay, and it's exciting, but it's
(25:27):
we're still we're not done.
Speaker 3 (25:29):
He's not free.
Speaker 15 (25:30):
I mean, he's out, but it's not over.
Speaker 12 (25:37):
M
Do you want to do it?
Speaker 2 (00:03):
You want me to do it, you can do it.
Speaker 3 (00:05):
Okay, Okay. We are here at the at the building
where the parle hearing is going to be taking place.
It is eight forty six. I think Leo's case is
going to be heard around ten. Yeah, and I'm right
here with Gilbert to Yeah.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
I think we should sit in the back this time.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
Oh, I will need to be right by the podium.
So make sure next is fine, okay, no problem this, yeah, sure.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
So we're at the break here. They've give him like
a five minute break, and I think the Schoolfield case
will be called very first next. Everybody seems to be here.
Cup is ready, some people from CDP. Chrissy is here,
and Jacob Orr will also be I'm here speaking for
(01:07):
the state in the tenth I'm not sure if anybody's
going to be calling in from the Saum families. I
don't think so. But that's about all we know right now.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
Thank you, Good morning everyone. It's ten thirty five am.
We're back on the record. This is Melinda Kunrod with
the Commission on a Fender review. I'm joining with Commissioner
Davison and Commissioner Whitant we're about to start the full
portion of the docket. We're all free. Commissioners will be voting.
The first case that we're calling is Item twenty two
on page twelve, Leo Schofield. This is an effective interview
(01:40):
that was conducted on March twenty seven, twenty twenty Ford
Everglades CI the investigators recommending parole. Good morning, Jods, we'd
be happy here for you.
Speaker 4 (01:49):
Good morning, Commissioner. It's my name is Scott Kopp. I'm
the attorney for Leo Schofield. I'm not going to say
much until the end. Want I want some folks that
mean a lot to Leo who are present. There's three
that are present. They're going to speak first. I'd like
to call Sergeant Simmons.
Speaker 5 (02:07):
Good morning.
Speaker 6 (02:09):
My name is Sergeant James Simmons. I'm currently employed at
Jefferson Correctional Institution. I've been with the department twenty eight years.
Of those twenty eight years, I've known Leo Schofield for
twenty seven of those years. Of them twenty seven years,
me and Leal Scofield has worked together for the last
ten years. Lei Schofield was a great inmate at Hardy
(02:32):
Correction to institution. He was a great assets there. I
know Mm Schofield had took the theology class to earn
a degree in that. I know he had a large
Bible class.
Speaker 5 (02:43):
He also helped me.
Speaker 6 (02:48):
In the locke and key department. I was the lock
and key sergeant. He was my orderly. One day we
were working pulling a lockout and I was a real
bad diabetic blushuger dropped as I was falling forward. They
tell me that Leo Scofield caught me before I hit
the concrete floor and placed me in a chair, and
(03:10):
he knew I was a bad diabetic, and he took
the meter out of my pocket and placed it on
my device to see what my blood sugar was and
it was very low. And he got me medical attention
quickly and got me some staff in there to help
me out. And to this day I am very thankful
Leo Scofield was there to help me. I know Leo
Schofield has a great support staff with his wife and
(03:31):
daughter and other family members. In my professional opinion before that,
Leo Schofield make a great candidate for Parot.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
Thank you, sergeant, Thank you for your service.
Speaker 4 (03:41):
Thank you, Sergeant David Welch.
Speaker 7 (03:44):
Good morning, Donald, Commissioner's med Him, Chair Commissioner Davidson, Commissioner Wyatt.
I stand before you today on behalf of Leo Schofield
because this is the case that I know in and out,
because I met Leo when I was seventeen years old
when I first entered Department of Corrections. Leo Schofield met
me off the bus when I was there, scared, didn't
know where I was going to go, what I was
(04:06):
going to do, what to do with my life from
then on, just received a natural life sentence at that point,
with a possibility of pro after twenty five years. I
am grateful for the grace of Parol. I'm a proud
member of CTP. But Leo Schofield was an educational clerk
back then. This was in nineteen ninety four. Again, I
was seventeen years old. I'm now forty seven. Leo Schofield
(04:27):
told me when I first met him I was going
through orientation process that I could do my time a
couple of ways. I could be like others and just
go play poker, play basketball and run around the reck
yard and waste my life. Or I could make the
best of it and that's what I did. He got
me an education as an orderly So from then on
I got my GED. I actually graduated, got my GED
(04:48):
before I would have graduated high school on the street.
From then on he continued to encourage me and impress
me to go into vocational trades. So that started me
on the bath that ultimately led me to be here
in front of you today, to do my time wisely,
to take advantage of opportunities to get in education and
to do something with my life. Leo Schofield also signed
me up for Chiro's Prison Ministry. I went through a
(05:11):
Chiros retreat there. Didn't know anything about Chiros, but Leo
signed me up for that and told me it would
be something good for my life. That in turn changed
my life because it's surrendered my life to Jesus Christ.
And from then on now today I stand before you.
Haven't been released, haven't been terminated from Parol. I'm now
the chair of Chiro's Prison Ministries at Avon Parks CI.
In fact, tomorrow I have thirty six men that are
(05:32):
under me that I'll be leading in to do Chiros
fifty seven at Avon Park. So from then on, from
the very first time I met Leo until today, I
am now a still citizen volunteer. I go back into
the prisons every month. I'm leading Chiros fifty seven next month.
And the education I received because of the influence of
mister Leo Schofield when I first met him as a teenager.
I've known him for thirty years. His character demeanor have
(05:54):
never changed one bit, and I just know, out of
all respect to the offense and the life that was
lost in this case, Leo Schofield is not a threat
to society in any kind of way. If Leo Schofield
is released, I can guarantee you that I will be
there for him in Tampa at Noah's house. I can
guarantee you that he will participate in CTP programs and
also be here in Tallahausee to represent others. Leo Schofield
(06:14):
will be a benefit if you guys are give him
the grace of prol today. I'm just simply asking, as
someone that knows him for a long time, to give
him that chance, because I believe in Leo Schofield. I
know as the only request that you guys asked of
me to not let you down. Leo Schofield likewise will
not let you down if you're grind the Groce pro.
Thank you for a looting me to speak.
Speaker 1 (06:32):
Thank you, mister Welch.
Speaker 5 (06:33):
Thank you. Jeff Reuter.
Speaker 8 (06:37):
My name is Jeffrey Reuter, CTP Alumni, Noah's House Community Outreach,
House Coordinator, Commissioner, Kunrod, Commissioner, Dason Commissioner. Why. I've known
Leo for well over a decade. We were students together
in numerous classes. We facilitated classes together, we lived in
the dorm together, we got recreation together. We just lived
in prison together. And I know firsthand what that involves.
(07:00):
And Leo was always he always stayed the course and
no matter what came at as he had a clear
head and solid judgment. This is a very unique case,
and I know that Leo's heart goes out to his wife, Michelle.
Our hearts go out to Michelle and her families. So
Leo is very mindful that as well. He worked first
(07:21):
hand with me with the Peyton Tutthill and Peyton Tudhill
Foundation and Miss Tutthill. He recorded a record for her,
turned over, recorded a whole record, turned over copyrighted the
record and then sent the record to Miss Tuthill where
recorded that music at Hearty CI and now that's part
of the foundation's story where they actually helped raise his
(07:43):
money for the children of scholarship victims. I know that
we're not here to determine guilt or innocence, but ken Leo,
pursuing to nine forty seven, can Leo conducted himself as
a citizen, as a free citizen, as a responsible citizen.
And I submit that he can. Pastor Tony Parker and
I from Noah's Community Outreach, we've been talking about Leo
(08:05):
for the past two weeks. There's a brand new house
at Noah's House. There's four guys in it right now.
Gregory Samuels, who was released yesterday, was the newest guy
in the house. He came yesterday. So we have a
bed for Leo at the new house where I'm the
coordinator at that house. We have an all star team there.
We will help lead and guide Leo post release if
(08:28):
you grant him grace today, and that is my humble request,
would you please grant Leo grace today? Thank you, thank you.
Speaker 4 (08:36):
I'm not sure who's on the phone from.
Speaker 5 (08:38):
CTP, but you got about a minute.
Speaker 9 (08:40):
Could you pick one person to speak.
Speaker 10 (08:42):
Please yeah, good morning, Convintions Choy Martin, thank you, missus,
Missus Coonroh, and Missus Davis and mister Waynet. Thanks for
the opportunity to speak on Leo's behalf. My condoc is
to the victim, Michelle and her family as well. I
need to be met Leo in October two thousand and
two at South Bay where he taught and played guitar
(09:04):
in the chapels. In the choirt, Leo also taught guys
to play the guitar. He continues to do so today
in CTP. I see him on a weekly basis. He's
thriving in the program. I believe it was a group
called the Old Jays that sang a song that says
I love music. I want to say to you today
with all due respect, that Leo loves music as well,
(09:25):
and he loves it so much that he's willing to
give his time and energy to help others learn to
play the guitar and have a love for music as well.
I believe that he's an excellent candidate for parole, and
I believe that he is epitome of a model prisoner
that would translate into being successful citizen. And society. I
respectfully request that you parole him today. Thank you for
(09:48):
your time of consideration.
Speaker 4 (09:49):
I'm not going to Labor commissioners what you already know.
We've had our meetings you for view to pack it.
I think you pretty much know what you want to do,
and I suspect you're going to do the right thing,
and I trust you to do that. I can't say
more than what these men have said and what you've read.
Leo has continued to achieve and exceed expectations wherever he's
(10:12):
been the one thing I do want to address, if
you do grant him parole, which I believe you're going
to do, I want to address the walkout date, because
it's very important. It's very important to Leo, it's very
important to all of us. He needs to go as
soon as possible. Thirteen days. He needs to go April thirtieth,
not in June, not two more months. If that becomes
(10:35):
the walkout date, that, in my opinion, is merely punitive.
It serves no purpose whatsoever with that. I'll turn the
podium over to the state.
Speaker 1 (10:47):
Thank you very much. Now we're going to move to
those in opposition. Mister Orr is here and do we
have anyone online wishing to speak? If so, pressed our
six go, oh, good morning. Are you speaking on the
Schofield case?
Speaker 11 (11:04):
Yes, but I'm not in opposition. I'm his brother. I
tried to call in last year and I wasn't able
to talk. I just wanted to say that my brother
has been he's been doing a lot of great things
in prison, but he was doing a lot of great
things before he went to prison. I didn't have much
(11:25):
of a father, so he basically raised me. And I
just wanted to be there for him for whenever I could,
because I know he's a good man, a good person,
and he's one of the only reasons why I've been
(11:46):
able to make it through this life. And I just
wanted to I just wanted to say thank you for
an opportunity to get him out of prison. And I
pray that you guys do the right thing today. And
that's all I ask.
Speaker 1 (12:07):
And what is your name?
Speaker 11 (12:08):
My name is Jason Schofield.
Speaker 1 (12:10):
All thank you, all right, mister Orr from you, Good morning, commissioners.
Good morning.
Speaker 12 (12:17):
My name is Jake or I'm an assistant state attorney
in the tenth Judicial Circuit. It's good to be with you. Again.
Last year, I addressed you regarding this case, and I
told you then that you cannot pursue justice without first
pursuing truth. And I believe that to be a true statement,
and I think that it has a particular relevance in
this case. The reason being there's been a whole lot
(12:38):
of media attention. As you know, there's been TV shows,
print media, multiple multiple episode podcasts, and I'm reading that
there's going to be more. There's going to be a
TV drama series maybe, and some sort of novels in
the works. It's all very entertaining and in truth, it's
an interesting case. I'm not going to go into all
the facts because I think you're kind of I'm familiar
(13:00):
with some of them, but it's a circumstantial case, lots
of twists and turns, and the storytelling related to it
has been outstanding. However, the truth telling has been unacceptable.
An example of that that involves this commission happened in
May of twenty twenty when Jerry Hill addressed you regarding
the case. Mister Hill recited certain facts of the case,
(13:23):
including going into who found the body in this case,
and I've pulled the transcript and I just want to
read a couple things that mister Hill told you. He
told you quote Missus Schofield's body was discovered in the
canal located in a hilly wooded area on the morning
of February twenty seventh, eighty seven, by Leo Schofield Senior.
Speaker 4 (13:45):
Close quote.
Speaker 12 (13:46):
Later in his presentation, mister Hill told you that Leo
was driven by an inter force and he said he
felt drawn to that area and felt Michelle was calling
out to him. He said he had told Detective Russell,
and I'm still quoting here, told Detective Russell that his
daughter in law was within a certain distance. Now, the
podcast that's got the most attention covering this case covered
(14:07):
that hearing in twenty twenty. They even used some of
the audio, but they got it wrong. They edited out
mister Hill telling you that the body was found by
Schofield Senior. They edited out mister Hill telling you that
he was searching for his daughter in law. They played
select clips about Leo searching, and then the narrator came
(14:28):
in and said said this, Jerry Hill gets it wrong
in a major way. The narrator stated that Jerry Hill
made it sound like the body was found by the defendant,
Leo Schofield Junior. Now take a minute and focus on
that reporting. Obviously that's not what happened you were here.
But it's worse than that, because this is not argumentative
(14:50):
argument or interpretation of facts of the record. It's it's
not a narrative told from a particular point of view
that is one hundred and eighty degrees opposite of what
happened in front of it. It's false. This should cause
concern for anybody that thinks they know facts about this
case because they heard a podcast, read something on social
(15:12):
media or the internet, or even a newspaper article. Because
good storytellers have picked up this case and they've told
stories that are incomplete, that misrepresent the actual evidence in
the case, and sometimes are false, you are reading, or
more likely hearing, a very compelling story that has no
(15:33):
fidelity to the truth. Today, we've gone through one black
and white example that involved this commission, but there are many,
many others when you get into the facts of the case. Now,
why am I telling you this? Why is it relevant
to today? Because my one ask of you is, whatever
decision you make, don't base it on some sensational media
(15:53):
accounts that are set to dramatic music. Base it on
truth in the criminal justice system, trial courts, appellate court's
parole commission, whatever it is, it's of the utmost importance
that we always pursue truth because it's our only chance
at pursuing justice. This case has been reviewed by multiple courts,
(16:15):
multiple trial judges, multiple panels of appellate judges for over
thirty years, and there's a difference between what they do
in those reviews and the entertainment industry. In the court,
you can't edit out the facts you don't like. You
can't edit the facts to fit your storyline. What those
judges have done has reviewed this case based on the
(16:35):
actual transcript, the actual evidence, and the law, and in
all those reviews, every time they've determined there is sufficient
evidence to support this conviction. Now, in the interest of fairness,
I think it's important that I also tell you that
I'm not telling you about those falsehoods in the media
for you to hold them against mister Schofield. That's not
(16:57):
my intention. He did not write those stories, he didn't
edit the audio. I told you about those falsehoods so
you could focus on the truth. And truth is from
what I know he's been an outstanding inmate. Sounds like
it's got an incredible support system, and you should consider
all that. I also know that you should consider that
he was convicted of a terribly violent crime, and you
(17:19):
know that you must use caution before you release such
an individually. I guess what I'm saying is, in the end,
if you determine that justice requires he be parolled or
not based on an honest review of the evidence, the law,
the time he's served, and all the factors that you
would consider in any other case, and you do that
(17:42):
with an honest review, then justice will be served. That's
all anyone could ever ask of you. You have a
tough job. I thank you for your service to our state,
and I thank you for your time this morning.
Speaker 1 (17:53):
Thank you, Miss jore. Do we have either Ricky or
Jesse Soum online? If so, ProStar six and Muture film
all right here, and then we'll perceive that the vote
is starting with mister Dason.
Speaker 5 (18:13):
In the matter of Leo Schofield.
Speaker 13 (18:15):
I've had the opportunity to review this case, and it's entirety.
I've listened very closely to the testimony in support as
well as the testimony in opposition here today. Today is
not the first aid that I've had the opptinnity to
give input into this case. The last time this case
(18:36):
was before us, my vote was to extend mister Schofield's
ppr D by twenty four months and to refer him
to the Corrections Transition Program at the Everglades Correctional Institution.
How real, the vote of this commission was to extend
by twelve months, which was set the new ppr D
(18:58):
at June twenty five, twenty twenty four, and in agreement
to refer mister Scholfield to the Corrections Transition Program at
the Everglades Correctional Institution. Since that time, mister Scholfield has
participated in the CTP program, has done well, and I
(19:22):
think that he has greatly benefited from his time there.
I think that he will continue to benefit from his
time in the corrections Transition program if he continues to
serve until the PPRD date that this commission set, which
is June twenty five, twenty twenty four. So I know
(19:43):
that there was some question here about a walkout date,
and I think that that walkout date should be consistent
with the PPRD that this commission set less than a
year ago. That datea is not punitive. That date is
necessary for moving mister Scholfield toward a successful parole if
(20:09):
he has paroled here today.
Speaker 5 (20:12):
So as mister Orr has requested my.
Speaker 13 (20:15):
Honest review of this case, and that is my honest
review of this case. So my vote here today is
not a question of guilt or innocence. That is the
province of the judicial system. This case has been litigated
both in the trial as well as the appella arenas,
and that determination is that mister Scholfield is guilty.
Speaker 5 (20:36):
Of first degree murder. Today, my vote is.
Speaker 13 (20:43):
To parole mister Scholfield to the max on June twenty five,
twenty twenty four, Terms four and five.
Speaker 1 (20:53):
Thank you Commissioner.
Speaker 14 (20:54):
White, Thank you man, Thank you all for here testimony
today as it relates to mister Schofield, and I too
have reviewed this case as a and I'm familiar with
the case. I've had meetings regarding the case, and during
the last Commission action I stressed the importance of programming.
Mister Schofield has been incarcerated for a long period of time.
A lot has changed since then, so I felt it
(21:15):
important that he gets some programming from the CTP program.
Since his admission into that program, he's done well. He's
completed numerous classes. The testimony here today, of course, speaks
highly of him as far as his interactions with those
in the program in review. In this case, it's entirety
considering all things, and I too support the court systems
(21:38):
and their findings.
Speaker 5 (21:39):
Upon my review this case, my.
Speaker 14 (21:41):
Vote today is parol to the max April thirty, twenty
twenty four, Reasons four and five.
Speaker 1 (21:48):
And after review the entire record and hearing all the
statements both the opposition and support, and my vote would
be to parole to the max for April thirty, twenty
twenty four, Reasons four and five. Mister Davison, What are
your conditions?
Speaker 13 (22:02):
Yes, The special conditions are entering complete the Noah Community Outreach.
Speaker 5 (22:06):
Program for a period of one year.
Speaker 11 (22:09):
Agree.
Speaker 13 (22:09):
Mandatory mental health and substance of use evaluation and treatment
as necessary.
Speaker 1 (22:14):
Agree.
Speaker 13 (22:14):
Agree Anger and stress management evaluation and treatment as necessary.
Speaker 1 (22:18):
Agree.
Speaker 13 (22:19):
Agree six months community controlled during the Noah Community Outreach Program,
followed by eighteen months of curfew ten pm to six am.
Speaker 5 (22:28):
Agree.
Speaker 13 (22:28):
Agree participate in the after care components of the FIU
Alumni Program. And the Noah Community Outreach Program. Agree no
contact with the victims family and case number eighty eight
twenty three forty six. Agree NAAA three times per week
for the first year, two times per week thereafter.
Speaker 5 (22:47):
Agree pay restitution to.
Speaker 13 (22:49):
Be determined the case number eighty eight, that's twenty three
forty six. Agree and mandatory attendance at the first supervision
before the Florida Commission offend of review unless otherwise excused
for good costs by the Commission or the parole officer.
Speaker 5 (23:05):
I agree.
Speaker 13 (23:05):
I don't have any additional terms.
Speaker 5 (23:08):
That's terms.
Speaker 1 (23:10):
Thank everyone, take a real brief break so that the cameras.
Speaker 11 (23:14):
Can be very movement.
Speaker 13 (23:16):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (23:26):
Leo is being paroled and he'll be getting out of
everyglades on April thirtieth.
Speaker 9 (23:33):
What happened today. Obviously it's a good thing, but it's
just a step, a step on a much longer road.
Leo is going to be paroled. Then I'll go to
a halfway house. But he's not free, and people need
to understand he's still a convicted murderer.
Speaker 11 (23:50):
He is not free.
Speaker 9 (23:51):
He's gotten all kinds of restrictions and all kinds of hoops.
He's going to have to jump through, and it's going
to be extremely difficult. While it's a good thing in
a sense, it's prison without bars, is what it is.
And some folks have extreme difficulty doing it because you
look like you're free and you can go out in
(24:12):
public and you can do certain things. But he's going
to literally have to account for literally.
Speaker 4 (24:19):
Every minute of his day and he has to that
permission to do everything.
Speaker 9 (24:24):
Try living that way.
Speaker 5 (24:26):
So the fight now turns.
Speaker 9 (24:28):
To looking into getting him exonerated, but he's in for
a very difficult time, make no mistake about it.
Speaker 15 (24:43):
You want to walk and talk for a minute, sure,
get us up crying, you're loving The whole entire day
is exhausting. You know, you think you're going to be
calm and cool and relaxed, and they start talking.
Speaker 13 (25:00):
And in the tone and.
Speaker 15 (25:02):
You're the emotions and the butterflies just kick in and
you just starting oh, here come the tears, Here come
the tears, and uh so it's a lot. It's ah,
it's hard to put into words the level of emotion
that I feel right now. Like a lot of people
are saying congratulations and yeay, and it's exciting, but it's
(25:27):
we're still we're not done.
Speaker 3 (25:29):
He's not free.
Speaker 15 (25:30):
I mean, he's out, but it's not over.
Speaker 12 (25:37):
M
Host
Gilbert King
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