South Dakota Board of Pardons and Paroles Hearing Ramos Case

SPRINGFIELD, S.D. (AP) — The South Dakota Board of Pardons and Paroles on Tuesday is holding a parole hearing for a man serving prison time for the 1994 killing of his pregnant girlfriend.

Joaquin Jack Ramos pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter for the 1994 shooting of 27-year-old Debbie Martines in Rapid Valley.

Ramos' son and uncle say the 45-year-old man has served his time and is not the same man he was two decades ago.

Martines' family says Ramos is a danger to women and children and should remain behind bars.

Former Gov. Mike Rounds in his final term in 2010 commuted Ramos' sentence from life to 150 years, making Ramos eligible for parole. Rounds later wrote the board saying he opposes parole.

The board denied Ramos parole during his first hearing in November.

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