Mark Braxley’s parole consideration extended to 2024

ATLANTA - The State Board of Pardons and Paroles has reconsidered the case of Mark Braxley, the codefendant of Joshua Bishop in the 1994 murder of Leverett Morrison in Baldwin County. The Parole Board denied clemency to Bishop, who was executed last night for Morrison’s murder.

Braxley, who was sentenced to life with parole eligibility, was originally to be reconsidered by the Board in 2017. As a result of today’s Board action, Braxley is denied parole and he won’t be considered for parole again until 2024.

Legally, the Parole Board must give periodic reviews to inmates who are parole eligible. Braxley was last considered and denied parole in 2009 and he was set off the maximum of eight years. As a result of information the Board received during Wednesday’s clemency meeting for Bishop, the Board decided to act now.

Parole Board Chairman Terry Barnard says the Board is taking this action now because of Braxley’s involvement in Morrison’s murder.

“This is the strongest action we can take regarding Braxley. The Board determined it was appropriate to set him off the maximum amount of time because of his involvement in the case,” stated Barnard.

In order to meet legal requirements, parole eligible inmates serving life sentences who are denied parole, must be reconsidered periodically. The Board adopted a rule in 1985 giving it the option of setting parole reconsideration dates one to eight (1-8) years in the future following a decision to deny parole in a case involving a life sentence.

For more information about the Parole Board, please contact the Office of Communications, Steve Hayes, at 404-657-9450 or [email protected], also visit www.pap.georgia.gov.

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