Mother of slain Alaska teen appointed to lead parole board

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The mother of a teenage boy who was killed by classmates has been appointed to lead the Alaska Parole Board by Gov. Mike Dunleavy.

The Republican governor’s office announced last week the appointment of Edie Grunwald, who must be confirmed by the state Legislature, the Anchorage Daily News reported .

Her 16-year-old son, David Grunwald, was shot to death near the Knik River in November 2016. Two people have been convicted and criminal cases are ongoing against two others.

Grunwald said she did not expect to be appointed to lead the board, but will bring compassion and a victim’s perspective to the position. She said she will be fair-minded as she presides over the board’s parole and clemency decisions.

“I follow the rules, I follow the laws, I know how to make decisions,” Grunwald said. “I’m loyal to my oath. I’m not going to make bad decisions because I’ve got personal biases.”

A Dunleavy spokesman declined to answer questions about the appointment.

Dunleavy wrote in a letter to Grunwald that her work leading the board “will help to ensure the safety of all Alaskans.”

The board is currently made up of four former or current state corrections employees and a village public safety officer. Members serve five-year terms.

Grunwald is a retired Air Force colonel who has not worked in corrections or law enforcement. Her term would start in March.

Grunwald ran for lieutenant governor in the Republican primary last year, losing to Kevin Meyer.

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Information from: Anchorage Daily News, http://www.adn.com