posted on July 26, 2003 08:55:46 AM new
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (July 26) - Last month, Penn State University officials learned something about professor Paul Krueger that wasn't on his resume - he is on parole for a triple murder committed in Texas nearly 40 years ago.
The university knew nothing about Krueger's conviction until late last month, when the Pennsylvania Bureau of Probation and Parole contacted the university, spokesman Bill Mahon said Friday.
"We're in shock to find out some of the details, and we're still looking into it," Mahon said. "We've never had a situation like this before."
Mahon said the university doesn't require prospective faculty members to report their criminal backgrounds.
But it may soon be a moot point. A spokesman for National University in California confirmed that Krueger had accepted a teaching job there, and Texas parole officials said they already were working on that move.
"We are, as a matter of fact, to meet with him at our headquarters here today to do some of that paperwork," said Kathy Shallcross, deputy director of Texas' parole division said Friday.
Hoyt Smith, spokesman for National University, the La Jolla-based college where Krueger will be associate professor of business, said officials were shocked to learn of the conviction from a reporter Friday, but that it wouldn't necessarily affect his employment.
"He had excellent credentials. He came highly recommended from Penn State," Smith said.
Krueger, who has been at Penn State for four years, has no telephone listing in the State College area. He did not immediately respond to an e-mail from The Associated Press.
In 1965, when he was 18, Krueger and a 16-year-old friend, left San Clemente, Calif. The two passed through Texas and rented a motor boat hoping to travel to Venezuela, where they intended to become "soldiers of fortune," according to a 1979 story in the Austin American-Statesman.
Along the Intracoastal Waterway near Corpus Christi, they encountered a fishing boat with a crew of three, John Fox, 38; Noel Little, 50; and Van Carson, 40. As night fell on April 12, 1965, all five went to shore and put in for the night.
For reasons Krueger never made public, he shot the three fishermen that night, unloading 40 bullets into their bodies. Sam Jones, then the district attorney for Nueces County, later referred to the shooting as "the most heinous crime in the history of the Gulf Coast."
Krueger pleaded guilty in 1966 to three counts of murder and was sentenced to three life terms, to be served concurrently.
Corrections officials described Krueger as a model inmate. He earned his diploma and an associate's degree, volunteered with alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs and reported for the prison newspaper.
Two parole commissioners, in 1977, called Krueger, "probably the most exceptional inmate" in the entire state. "There is nothing further he can do to rehabilitate himself," they said. Two years later, he was paroled to West Covina, Calif., where he enrolled in graduate school.
Krueger's academic credentials are unquestioned - he graduated summa cum laude from Sam Houston State University, going on to earn a master's degree from California State University-Los Angeles, a Ph.D. in sociology from South Dakota State University and an Ed.D. from the University of Southern California.
He was a visiting professor at Idaho State University and held a tenure-track position at Augustana College in South Dakota before coming to Penn State, where Krueger was director of the Institute for Research in Training and Development, teaching mostly graduate courses and studying employee training programs.
Some of his previous employers expressed surprise when learning of Krueger's conviction.
"I'm sitting here thunderstruck. I'm virtually speechless," said Anne Oppegard, chairwoman of the business department at Augustana. "I'm practically stuttering I'm so dumbfounded."
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If it's really Common Sense, why do so few people actually have it?
posted on July 26, 2003 12:03:00 PM new
We're a society that lives in the past. If the guy was a good teacher, who cares what he did? Criminals eventually get out of jail and have to start life again. I believe that some DO get rehabilitated while inside and can be good, law-abiding citizens on the outside.
You're right Twelve! I can become a doctor for $28.00!
posted on July 26, 2003 12:19:28 PM new
Krueger's academic credentials are unquestioned -- he graduated summa cum laude from Sam Houston State University, going on to earn a master's degree from California State University-Los Angeles, a Ph.D. in sociology from South Dakota State University and an Ed.D. from the University of Southern California.
He was a visiting professor at Idaho State University and held a tenure-track position at Augustana College in South Dakota before coming to Penn State, where Krueger was director of the Institute for Research in Training and Development, teaching mostly graduate courses and studying employee training programs.
posted on July 26, 2003 12:25:48 PM new
He has paid for his sins according to the law, and it seems like he's done a good job of rehabbing himself. They ought to just leave the poor SOB alone and let him live his life.
___________________________________
What luck for the leaders that men do not think. - Adolph Hitler
posted on July 26, 2003 12:27:23 PM new
It's difficult to pass judgement on a sentence without knowing the circumstances of the case. It's clear that
Krueger served his time and was, according to parole commissioners in 1977, the most exceptional inmate in
the entire state. And more recently, Hoyt Smith, spokesman for National University, said that he was highly
recommended by Penn State.
posted on July 26, 2003 12:42:13 PM new
A guy decides he wants to take off and become a mercenary. On the way to his final destination he pumps FORTY bullets into three men. He pleads GUILTY. He recieves THREE life sentences and somehow this equates to 13 years?
I have no problem with the individual. I have a problem with a criminal justice system that thinks that 13 years is adequate punishment for the taking of three lives in such a brutal manner for no apparent reason.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
If it's really Common Sense, why do so few people actually have it?
posted on July 26, 2003 01:06:36 PM new
Sentences are designed to punish, deter, rehabilitate or protect the community.
Unless we need to satisfy some senseless need for revenge, this man clearly
deserves to be free to pursue his professional career.
posted on July 26, 2003 01:12:07 PM new
This reminds me of a girl named Carla (I think), that committed a murder when she was young. She had totally rehabilitated herself in prison and had pastors and inmates supporting her, but Bush (as Governor) put her to death anyway.
posted on July 26, 2003 02:57:54 PM new
fenix - 13 years for admitting to taking three lives, doesn't make sense to me either. I was under the impression that, until recently, there were 'boxes' on employment applications where you HAD to put a felony conviction on employment applications. hummm...
posted on July 26, 2003 03:40:36 PM new
Kraft, I attended National University in San Diego in the mid 80's while stationed at 32nd St.
We did one class a month and with the Navy paying 90% tution reimbursement, it was a sweet deal
They had a nice big Campus down in Mission Valley
Back on topic, Profe does bring up a good point about paying his debt, but I guess I think my life is worth a bit more than 4.6 years of prison time if you killed me.
But to be fair sounds as if this person has turned himself around and now is making a viable contribution to society.
AIN'T LIFE GRAND...
[ edited by Twelvepole on Jul 26, 2003 03:43 PM ]
posted on July 26, 2003 03:44:01 PM new
did they ever give the reason or speculation why he killed 3 men ,all much older than him and his companion (16)??
and what happened to his companion??
-sig file -------They may have ginsu knife,but we have DING KING!!!!
posted on July 26, 2003 04:18:40 PM new
Those are excellent questions, stopwhining. How can anyone here believe that he should rot in jail,
serving three life sentences, without knowing the answer to those questions?
Some places of employment will give a person a chance if they are upfront with their felonies (check yes for the qustion "Have you been convicted of a felon?".
However, when the employee doesn't share the felony information and the employer finds out, the employee is oftentimes canned because they withheld information.
There are some employers who won't hire felons even if they do check "yes" to the felony conviction question.
Therefore, I think the fact the guy wasn't upfront is the issue.
posted on July 26, 2003 06:31:50 PM new
Helen - call me kooky but if he had a valid reason don't you think he would have revealed it? HE chose not to reveal the reason....
For reasons Krueger never made public, he shot the three fishermen that night, unloading 40 bullets into their bodies.
in doing so, he chose not to have his rationale considered.
How can I expect him to rot in jail? Simple... he pleaded guilty and the state sentenced him to do that. Three life sentences is not supposed to be 13 years.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
If it's really Common Sense, why do so few people actually have it?
posted on July 26, 2003 07:38:10 PM new
Helen - if you read the article again you will find a very important and somewhat obvious answer to at least one of your questions.
Krueger pleaded guilty in 1966 to three counts of murder and was sentenced to three life terms, to be served concurrently.
There was no trial - fair or unfair.
As for what he accomplished afterwards - that's not my my point. HE is actually not my point. My point is this.....
If an individual pleads guilty to three counts of murder and is sentenced to 3 life sentences.... parole shouldn't even be a glimmer in the prisoners eye after only 13 years.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
If it's really Common Sense, why do so few people actually have it?
posted on July 26, 2003 08:09:18 PM new
With regard to the question of how much is a persons life worth. It is closely pegged to the economic, racial, ethnic, religious, and social status of the person in question as determined by a group of the persons peers.
As to the penal system in this country (and most countries for that matter): Very little is done toward rehabilitating or educating inmates. Prisons for the most part are warehouses for the flotsam and jetsam of society.
posted on July 26, 2003 10:13:39 PM new
::Why are you so unhappy with success? There should be some degree of mercy in our system of justice. ::
Tell the families of three murdered men that Helen. You keep missing the point. It's not about the individual. It's about the absolute joke that a sentence of 3 life terms could in reality be on 13 years.
And by the way - I have a hard time believing that the 18 year old on his way to South America to become a mercenary was forced into a situation in which his only form of protection was to empty, reload and empty again a weapon enough times to total 40 rounds - I guess the first 5 or six shots each just didn't do the job But I gotta love the way you have turned the murder victims into the bad guys. Apparently the only true victims in Helenland are the criminals
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
If it's really Common Sense, why do so few people actually have it?
posted on July 26, 2003 10:55:08 PM new
We can yammer on about whether or not the guy had a fair sentence, and about how many bullets he shot.(What's the difference? Dead is dead.) He didn't walk out of prison on his own accord. He was given a sentence and he served it admirably, and has been apparently a contributing member of society since.He broke no rule in failing to report his felony conviction. (Hi, I'm Paul, and I'd like to teach at this university. Oh, by the way, even though I don't have to tell you this.. some years back I used 40 bullets to kill three guys who were fishing...thought I ought to mention that, can I still have the job?) A life is undoubtedly worth more than 4.something years. That's not his fault. Neither is it his fault that the system is broken. He deserves to live his life.
___________________________________
What luck for the leaders that men do not think. - Adolph Hitler
posted on July 26, 2003 11:07:05 PM new
Prof - I'm not attacking the individual. He obviously got a hell of a break and made the most of it. My indictment is of the system. I find it especially surprising that this was in Texas, usually a tougher system. Most states have a minimum term that is much longer before parole enters the picture. I know in Colorado it's 40 years.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
If it's really Common Sense, why do so few people actually have it?
posted on July 27, 2003 06:05:25 AM new
The problem, fenix, is that you and I can argue forever about what we believe but in the end we may as well be discussing a hypothetical case because you and I have nothing on which to base our opinion. I could offer a reasonable explanation for the killing of the three men and you could offer a reasonable explanation for sending the professor back to the penitentiary but in the end, both opinions are only based on hypotheticals.
You are essentially saying that a killer sentenced to life should rot in jail. On the other hand, I am considering the very real possibility that the same man may have been given bad legal advice to confess to a killing that may have been justified. The fact that numerous correction officials and the parole board vouched for this guy is significant along with his remarkable success since leaving prison.
Don't be so stubborn and bull headed. It's good that our justice system has a self correcting ability. Otherwise, a lot of innocent people, found guilty and sentenced to death would be killed.
posted on July 27, 2003 08:23:58 AM new
:on't be so stubborn and bull headed. It's good that our justice system has a self correcting ability. Otherwise, a lot of innocent people, found guilty and sentenced to death would be killed. ::
Completely irrelvent Helen - you are talking about the Appeals process. This discussion is about the Parole process.
i13 years for 3 life sentences is flat out wrong. I'm not going to argue justification because it is irrelevent. Accused pleads guilty to 3 cases orf Murder. Is given three life sentences. Serves 13 years? That's wrong. 13 year for murdering 3 people is wrong. Considering that parole in so short a time is wrong.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
If it's really Common Sense, why do so few people actually have it?
