Parole board to consider Beach clemency request

HELENA (AP) — The state Board of Pardons and Parole is scheduled to meet at the end of the month to consider Barry Beach's application for clemency in the 1979 killing of a Poplar teen.

Executive Director Fern Johnson tells the Great Falls Tribune (http://gftrib.com/1qsBRN1 ) the board is scheduled to meet April 29 in Deer Lodge to consider whether to accept Beach's application, which was filed in September.

Beach is asking the board to reduce his life prison sentence and make him eligible for parole or a commutation from Gov. Steve Bullock.

The board will take public comment and could make its decision that day or issue a decision later.

Beach has long maintained his innocence in the death of Kim Nees. He was released from prison in 2011 when a judge ordered a new trial. The Montana Supreme Court overturned the judge's decision.