Inmate involved in FBI killing skips parole hearing

Thursday, Feb. 24, 2000 | 10:18 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Carlos A. Gurry, the driver of a getaway car in a bank robbery in Las Vegas in which an FBI agent was shot to death, declined Wednesday to appear before the state Parole Board.

But seven FBI agents showed up to oppose clemency for Gurry, 37, who was sentenced to consecutive life terms with the possibility of parole in the shooting death of FBI Special Agent John Bailey on June 25, 1990.

FBI Director Louis Freeh faxed one letter and sent another by Federal Express stating he was against any clemency for Gurry because a law enforcement officer was killed. There were also numerous letters from FBI agents who were against parole.

Parole Board member Norman Ziola said Gurry decided not to pursue his release at this time because he is appealing to the courts to get his conviction overturned.

Ziola said Gurry has a "very good prison record." He said Gurry has received his GED, is taking additional education courses and has not had a disciplinary write-up in two years.

Ziola said the board will make a decision within 10 days whether to deny Gurry for one, two or three years before he can reapply. He said that Gurry, even if he is released from his first term, would have to start serving a second life term and would not be eligible for parole for 10 more years on that sentence.

If he is ever released, immigration officials have placed a hold on him to be deported.

Gurry's accomplice, Jose L. Echavarria, received the death sentence for gunning down the agent. He is appealing his conviction and sentence.

Echavarria, disguised as a woman, entered Security Pacific Bank in Las Vegas and pulled a gun on the teller. The teller screamed and he started to walk out.

Bailey, who was in the bank on FBI business, ordered Echavarria to stop and fired a warning shot. Echavarria dropped the gun, and Bailey sat him in a chair. When Bailey tried to handcuff him, Echavarria jumped out of the chair and bumped Bailey.

During a scuffle, Bailey fell to the ground and Echavarria retrieved Bailey's gun. He fired several shots at the downed agent, hitting him three times.

Echavarria than ran to the waiting car driven by Gurry and they sped away. Gurry was later arrested at a Las Vegas apartment he shared with Echavarria, who was found in Mexico.

Witnesses outside the bank identified Gurry as the driver of the car.