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American Morning

Parole Hearing in England Produces Emotional Response

Aired June 18, 2001 - 11:01   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We start with a follow-up on a crime in Britain that reverberated throughout the world eight years ago. That was when a child was led to his death by two 10-year-old boys.

Now, as ITN's Tim Wilcox tells us, the young killers are coming of age, they may soon be set free.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TIM WILCOX, ITN REPORTER (voice-over): With the fate of James Bulger's killers in the balance, a small group of demonstrators gathered outside the London headquarters of the parole board. They, like James Bulger's mother, vehemently against the release of Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, who'd get new identities and round-the- clock police protection if freed.

The two day hearing for Jon Venables, seen here on the right, is being held at a secret location. Robert Thompson's will be heard on Wednesday. Both boys, who abducted, tortured than killed James Bulger in 1993, will have to prove to the three-man parole panel that it's no longer necessary for the public's protection that they're detained.

ALAN LEVY, ATTORNEY: While the crux of the matter is are these young men still a risk to the public? If they are, they'll be kept in custody and will go into young offenders institution. If it's considered it's safe to release them, then either very soon or in a relatively short time, they'll be released back into society with different names and different details.

WILCOX: Since his death eight years ago, James Bulger's parents have fought a long campaign to keep their son's killers behind bars. The couple, who are no separated, came together to take public petitions to the Home Office. Public emotions over the killing remain strong, though, and even though the Lord Chief Justice recently ruled further detention for Venables and Thompson would not serve any constructive purpose, their release would provoke outrage in some quarters. They face a lifetime of fear of revenge attacks from those who will never forgive.

Tim Wilcox, ITN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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