Sex offender cleared for fourth release

Tuesday, June 1, 1999 | 9:56 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The state Parole Board has agreed to a fourth release for Murray Jones, sentenced to life in prison in 1967 for a Las Vegas rape and robbery.

A board spokeswoman said Friday that Jones, now 57, won't be freed before October. His release plan calls for him to live in Reno but that must be approved by the state Division of Parole, which will supervise him.

Before appearing before the Parole Board on May 18, Jones was examined by a psychological panel, as required for sex offenders, and was cleared for release.

Jones has been on parole three times already. He was released in April 1979 and returned to the prison in November 1980 after fleeing. He was freed in July 1987, then disappeared until his capture in August 1995. And he was paroled once more but was returned for breaking the conditions of his release.

Jones was sent to prison after being convicted of raping one woman, performing infamous crimes against nature with her and her roommate and robbing both women and the mother of one in September 1967. He was arrested only four days after being released from prison after serving a term for robbery.

Carrying a knife, Jones broke into the bedroom of one of the women. He forced the mother of one victim and the son of the other into a closet during the crimes and fled after one woman grabbed his knife and stabbed him in the back. He left behind his ex-felon registration card when he ran from the home.

He was sentenced to life in prison on three counts and an additional 15 years on the robbery conviction.

The board denied the application of William H. Beck, now 36, who was sentenced to two consecutive life terms for sexually assaulting his two stepchildren in Las Vegas in 1987.

This was the third time he has appeared before the Parole Board. He must wait another year before he can re-apply. Even if he wins parole, he still must start serving his second life term. So far he has served 11 1/2 years.