STATE OF ILLINOIS
BRUCE RAUNER, GOVERNOR
PRISONER REVIEW BOARD
EN BANC MINUTE SHEET- OPEN SESSION
MEETING OF APRIL 26, 2018
Inmate Name: Donald Grant IDOC Number & Institution: L02079
The Illinois Prisoner Review Board met in open en banc session at 319 E. Madison, Suite A, Springfield, Illinois, on April 26, 2018, at the 9:00 a.m. session to discuss and deliberate parole eligibility for Donald Grant, IDOC #L02079.
Members present were: E. Crigler, S. Diaz, D.W. Dunn, C. Findley, P. Fisher, V. Harris, E. Johnson, T. Johnson, V. Martinez, A.M. Perkins, D. Shelton, and K. Tupy.
Other(s) present: Robynn Davis, Recording Secretary
Member Crigler presented Donald Grant’s case to the Board for consideration. Donald Grant was interviewed on March 15, 2018, at Dixon Correctional Center. Inmate Grant is a 64- year-old African-American male who has been housed at Dixon Correctional Center since April 25, 1990. Member Crigler noted that Grant states that he is in good health, except for problems with his knee, which causes him pain and problems from time to time. Donald Grant is serving 60 to 180 years for Murder and 20 to 60 years for Armed Robbery.
Member Crigler presented the statement of facts for this case. On May 24, 1976, Donald Grant shot and killed security guard Robert Jackson in a grocery store in Peoria, Illinois. Early on the 24th of April, the victim and offender had an encounter where the victim had accused Grant of shoplifting. A verbal confrontation ensued and Grant was eventually removed from the store. On the evening of May 24, 1976, Grant returned to the store, driven by Martin Ray Williams, his co-defendant. Grant entered the store, put a loaded, .22-caliber handgun to the head of Robert Jackson’s head, and fired one round. At that point, Grant took Mr. Jackson’s revolver and fled the scene. Member Crigler noted that Robert Jackson was a retired Peoria County Sheriff and was in his security guard uniform at the time of the murder.
Member Crigler advised that Donald Grant was not arrested, convicted, and sentenced for the murder of Mr. Jackson until 1981. Grant has also committed several armed robberies between 1975 and May 1976. He was convicted of Burglary and Armed Robbery in Illinois in 1976 and was convicted of Armed Robbery in federal court in 1976. He was sentenced to four years in Wisconsin and was paroled for that crime in June of 1980. In 1981, he was charged with the Murder and Armed Robbery of Robert Jackson. A mistrial was declared during the first trial because the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict. Following a second jury trial in 1982, Grant was convicted on both charges and received an indeterminate sentence of 60 to 180 years for the Murder charge and 20 to 60 years for the Armed Robbery charge.
Member Crigler found that Donald Grant has an excellent institutional record. As reflected in the Offender Overview dated March 1, 2018, “Mr. Grant has displayed an excellent institutional adjustment.” He is dependable and hardworking. He is always willing to assist
staff, regardless of the duty. Grant has earned an Associate of Arts Degree and an Associate of Applied Science Degree. He has also earned certification in Business Management, Construction Occupations, and Photographic/Graphic Arts. He served as Violence Prevention Peer Facilitator from 2008 to 2016. He has completed Lifestyle Redirection and Anger Management classes. Grant remains active with work assignments and bettering himself by getting an education, completing programs, volunteering, and learning skills to become a productive citizen. He has worked as a lead worker in Optical Industries Lab, crew repairman, tool control, and many other specialized positions throughout the facility
Member Crigler stated that she found Donald Grant to be a focused, sincere individual who has great remorse for the decisions he made as a young, immature person. He expressed accountability and remorse for killing Robert Jackson and stated that the fact that he took another man’s life and robbed his family of their husband, father, brother, and uncle weighs heavily on him every day. He expressed that the only thing he wanted out of life was to be a better father than the one he had. He wanted to raise his children and teach them how to be good, productive people. He admits and accepts responsibility for his actions and that what he did was wrong, foolish, and unlawful.
Member Crigler believes that to release Inmate Grant poses no threat to society, based on his age, his excellent institutional adjustment, his education, and his family and community support.
Member Diaz requested to know about past votes. Member Crigler advised that he received two votes last year.
Member Shelton advised that he took protests for this case. He noted that the victim’s daughter and the Assistant State’s Attorney from Peoria County presented letters from various family members. He stated that the father was a loving man and there was prior contact with victim and Donald Grant before the crime.
Attorney Carolyn Klarquist spoke on behalf of Donald Grant. She noted that Grant is so trusted at Dixon that he is currently working in the office there. She also advised that Grant has noted that he wished that he had stayed in the military as it was good for him.
Member Harris requested to know how much time he has served for this case. Member Crigler noted that he has served a total of 36 years so far.
Member Fisher noted that the victim in this case was an off-duty sheriff’s deputy. He also advised that it was known that the security at this specific store were police officers.
Member Shelton stated that the victim was a retired sheriff’s deputy, not off-duty.
Motion to grant parole (EC-AMP). Motion does not prevail by a vote of 6 to 6. Members voting in favor of the motion are: Ms. Crigler, Mr. Dunn, Ms. Harris, Ms. Martinez, Ms. Perkins, and Chairman Findley.
“The Board makes a specific finding that the release of victim protest letters could subject a person to actual risk of physical harm.”