German diplomat’s son again denied parole in 1985 killings

RICHMOND, Va. – For the 14th time, Virginia officials have rejected a parole bid from a German diplomat’s son serving life in prison for the 1985 killings of his ex-girlfriend’s parents.

The Daily Progress reports 52-year-old Jens Soering initially confessed to killing Nancy and Derek Haysom, but later recanted, saying he was covering for Elizabeth Haysom. She was convicted of being an accessory, and will receive mandatory parole in 2032.

Attorney Steven D. Rosenfield says Soering is a model prisoner and has a “solid release plan” that would return him to Germany. Rosenfield says the German Embassy and Chancellor Angela Merkel back Soering’s release.

Former Gov. Terry McAuliffe didn’t act on Soering’s clemency request, as Virginia was still investigating DNA analysis indicating Soering didn’t match some type-O blood found at the crime scene.

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Information from: The Daily Progress, http://www.dailyprogress.com