News Summary
The Virginia Parole Board is evaluating the potential release of James King, a 72-year-old convicted murderer serving two life sentences for the 2020 murder of Lexie Walters and a previous murder in Ohio. This consideration has caused distress among Walters’ family, prompting calls for reform to prevent similar cases. Efforts are underway to advocate against King’s parole eligibility due to his violent history. Victim advocates emphasize the importance of addressing the concerns of victims’ families in the parole process as discussions about Virginia’s parole system continue.
Virginia Beach – The Virginia Parole Board is considering the potential release of 72-year-old James King, a convicted murderer currently serving two life sentences for the 2020 murder of Lexie Walters and a previous murder in Ohio in 1986. This has drawn significant outrage from the family of the victim, who are advocating against King’s eligibility for parole due to his violent past.
King was sentenced in February 2025 for the sexual assault and murder of Walters at a Days Inn in Virginia Beach. His eligibility for parole stems from Virginia’s existing law which allows for “geriatric conditional release” for inmates over the age of 65 who have served a minimum of five years or are at least 60 years old and have served ten years. Although the law excludes those convicted of Class 1 felonies, King qualifies since he was convicted of Class 2 felonies.
Prior to the murder of Walters, King had a violent history, having previously been convicted of murdering a woman in Ohio in 1986. After serving 20 years for that crime, he was released in 2007. His criminal behavior continued post-release, as he was arrested for sexual assault in Virginia Beach in 2018, where he served one year for that offense.
The family of Lexie Walters expressed deep concern and pain upon learning of King’s potential parole hearing, voicing that it reopens emotional wounds and is a painful reminder of their loss. Family member Marie Jones described her sister as vibrant and full of life, making the consideration for King’s release even more distressing as they strive to heal from the tragedy. Jones is now advocating for a legislative reform called “Lexie’s Law,” aimed at preventing violent repeat offenders from achieving geriatric parole eligibility in Virginia.
Both the Virginia Beach Commonwealth’s Attorney and the Attorney General’s Office have conveyed their opposition to King’s possible release, underscoring the seriousness of the crimes that led to his convictions. They have highlighted the importance of victim advocacy in parole considerations. The Virginia Parole Board has indicated that just because a case is under consideration does not guarantee that parole will be granted, maintaining that each case is evaluated on its individual merits.
King turned himself in to the police in September 2020 following the murder of Walters. He has claimed to have no recollection of the sinister events that transpired leading up to her death. On September 8, 2025, he is scheduled for a parole hearing, with a decision regarding his release expected to take between 35 to 45 days after the hearing concludes. Victim advocates and the family of Walters have been encouraged to present their concerns to the parole board, emphasizing the importance of victim impact in such decisions.
This situation has provoked a larger discussion about the parole system in Virginia, especially regarding its leniency towards violent offenders as they age. As the hearing date approaches, the focus remains on the implications of King’s potential release for both the victim’s family and the broader community.
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Additional Resources
- Pilot Online: Virginia Beach Murderer’s Parole Eligibility
- WTKR: Violent 72-Year-Old Murderer Parole Eligibility
- WAVY: Lexie’s Law and Parole Law Changes
- Wikipedia: Parole in the United States
- Google Search: Virginia Parole Board James King
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