Once embattled parole commissioner to resign

Friday, Jan. 10, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- State Parole Commissioner Thomas Wright, who withstood an effort by Gov. Bob Miller to fire him two years ago after a parolee killed a police officer, has resigned four-months before his term expires.

"I hung tough for 20 months," said Wright, who has served on the Parole Board since August 1991. He will leave the post Feb. 11.

In mid-1995, Wright became the center of controversy when he recommended parole for Donald Cameron, who shortly after his release robbed two stores and shot to death Sparks Police Officer Larry Johnson, who was chasing the suspect. Fellow officers pumped 20 bullets into Cameron on May 22, 1995.

Wright, 47, and formerly the district attorney of Storey County, refused Miller's request to resign, and the governor learned he had no power to fire the parole commissioner.

"My decision to stay on the Parole Board and to point out the weaknesses of our criminal justice system, I think, served the public better than a summary flight from the job," Wright said.

"It was never my intention to embarrass anyone or be contentious but rather to do what I felt was the most honorable thing and for the greatest good."

Wright, whose original term ends June 30, concedes the governor probably would not have reappointed him to the job that pays about $47,000 a year.

"The governor told the whole world it was my case," Wright said of the Cameron decision. "I was assigned at the last minute to substitute for another commissioner and by fate I was on the panel that recommended parole."

Police agencies in Northern Nevada considered Cameron a dangerous criminal who should serve his full term. Wright accepted partial blame but noted the full board had approved the release.

Wright also said the case pointed up a lack of communication between police and the state Parole and Probation Division.

The furor resulted in several changes in the law. Parole was eliminated for violent criminals and a mandatory prison time of not less than 40 percent of the crime's maximum sentence was required. The Parole Board was expanded from six to seven members and qualifications were established.

Parole Board rules were streamlined, and money was appropriated for a computer system for the state Parole and Probation Division so it could communicate with other police agencies.

"I still think the system was better served by my staying," he said.

Wright said he is leaving early to work full time on writing his thesis for a master's degree in public and social policy from Georgetown University. It's due this spring.

"I plan to practice law at least on a part-time basis somewhere in the state later this year. I'm an arbitrator and a pro-temp judge in several courts," Wright said.

Miller did not make a statement in announcing the resignation of Wright and did not name a replacement.