n The convicted murderer-rapist appears headed for Kentucky, despite opposition.

By Errol Castens

Daily Journal Oxford Bureau

JACKSON - Despite public outrage at his pending release, Douglas Hodgkin is slated to be paroled to his home state of Kentucky.

The Mississippi Parole Board voted on Feb. 17 to release Hodgkin, who raped, beat and strangled pregnant University of Mississippi Jean Elizabeth Gillies in 1986 in her Oxford apartment.

Under the Interstate Compact, Kentucky has to accept Hodgkin, who is from Winchester, Ky.

The board and its decision have been the subject of public scorn in newspapers, on the Internet and broadcasts from SuperTalk Mississippi to CNN's Nancy Grace, but Parole Board member Betty Lou Jones insists the decision was a good one.

"There are two sides to every story. All things were considered that needed to be considered," she said. "I feel this has been a pretty normal procedure. The difference is that a lot of media are involved."

Jones would not confirm or deny reports that the vote to release Hodgkin was a 3-2 split.

The Interstate Parole Compact gives Kentucky 45 days to respond after receiving Hodgkin's paperwork, which was sent soon after the parole vote, said Mississippi Department of Corrections spokesman Suzanne Singletary.

Hodgkin will likely be released from the Marshall County Correctional Center in Holly Springs in April.

Contact Errol Castens at (662) 281-1069 or errol.castens@djournal.com.