Sister pleads for teen’s parole

Wednesday, May 29, 2002 | 10:54 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Conan Pope's sister told a panel of the state Parole Board today that her brother "will live forever with his mistake" in killing their father in January 2000 in Las Vegas.

Desiree Pope made a tearful plea to the panel to approve the application of her 17-year-old brother to be released from his first term to begin serving a second sentence of 2 to 7 1/2 years.

"I do not condone what he did, but I forgive him," she said. "He is very confused."

This was the first time Desiree and Conan have seen each other in two years. She told the panel that Conan needs psychiatric care, not to be penalized.

"If my dad was here, my dad would have taken full responsibility," she said with tears rolling down her cheeks.

The two hearing commissioners will make a recommendation to the full seven-member parole board, and a decision is expected in two weeks.

After the hearing Conan said he was optimistic about his chances.

Pope pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter with use of a deadly weapon in the shooting death of his father Frank Pope, 62 with a .357 rifle. He maintained the father was abusing him and his sister.

He told the parole panel, "I did what I did. I had no other choice." He said he had tried to run away from his abusive father but "that didn't work."

However, two infractions behind bars and an upcoming disciplinary hearing for possessing a smoking device could hurt his chances.

"If you can't behave yourself in here, we can't put you out. The board is not impressed with disciplinaries," Parole Commissioner John Morrow said.

Pope, dressed in prison denims, told the panel he was starting to get help for his drug and alcohol problems. And if he gets out, he wants to go into construction. "My dad taught me how," he said.

Pope said he expected to get his GED in September.

After the hearing Conan and Desiree hugged, and the boy said he was surprised to see his sister.

The older sister told him he looked good and had lost weight. He replied that he works out a lot and eats the right food.

Desiree told the board she was concerned about his treatment.