Lonoke Man Seeks Clemency After Killing His Family

Nine years ago, Heath Stocks, killed his mother, father, and sister. Now he's asking for clemency. That request could come as early as this month.

The murders happened in Lonoke, when Stocks was 20 years old. He says, his Boy Scout leader, Jack Walls sexually assaulted him for 10 years and pushed him to kill his family.

He pleaded guilty to 3 counts of capital murder and received 3 consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole.

Last June, he requested clemency, and now his application will be reviewed by the Post Prison Transfer Board this month. The board could then request a hearing for Stocks and the victim's family.

"After both parties are heard, then one board member will make a recommendation. Either the application is with merit or without. The other board members will vote on that recommendation. Either they?ll agree with it or not. Then once they have a recommendation, it?s forwarded to the Governor for a decision,? explains Rhonda Sharp with the Arkansas Department of Correction.

Stocks says his reason for requesting clemency is to allow consideration of facts, and also his mental state that were unknown at the time of sentencing.

His only chance at freedom is to be granted executive clemency. If it is given to him, it means that his sentence may be reduced, and he may become eligible for parole some day.

Jack Walls is serving three life terms for multiple sex crimes.