A “lifer” who’s asking to be released from prison has been quizzed by the Iowa Board of Parole. Kathy Tyler has served 22 years behind bars for slaying her ex-husband, Alan Tyler, a Des Moines doctor. She was sentenced to life in prison but her case is being reviewed for a possible commutation. She told the parole board she wanted to apologize to the taxpayers, to her family and to the family of the man she murdered. Tyler said she believes people can change for the good — and she cited a few examples, Biblical figures like David and Paul, as well as Chuck Colson, President Nixon’s “dirty tricks” man who now leads a prison ministry. Tyler said she’s forgotten how to hate and only knows how to love. Former Governor Robert Ray believes her, he was at today’s hearing and testified on her behalf in a previous hearing.During a hearing two weeks ago, Kathy Tyler’s ex-psychiatrist and members of the Tyler family said they would fear for their lives if Kathy Tyler is released. The parole board meets next Thursday to decide whether to recommend to the Governor that Tyler’s sentence be commuted.
