CHIEF Prosecutor Chester Hinds has asked the CNMI Board of Parole to reject the parole applications of Edward I. Blas and Edward T. Sablan.
The Office of the Attorney General “strongly opposes” the granting of parole for Blas and Sablan, Hinds said.
Blas pled guilty to murder in the first degree committed during the perpetration of burglary and/or robbery, and was sentenced to 24 years imprisonment.
“Even prior to his conviction for this offense,” Hinds said, “inmate Blas had an extremely long criminal history as a juvenile. Nothing seemed to work. We believe that the inmate is not suitable for parole.”
Hinds added, “These types of crimes along with the inmate’s criminal history should be a strong aggravating factor during the parole decision. Therefore, the Commonwealth expresses its continued concern in granting inmate Blas any form of early release.”
As for Sablan, “Pursuant to his judgment of conviction and commitment order, the defendant pled guilty to the offense of sexual assault in the second degree and was sentenced to serve five years all suspended except for two years and shall be released on Feb. 26, 2023, or subject to parole after serving two-thirds of his sentence,” Hinds said.
“We believe the inmate is not suitable for parole. The crime committed itself carries a maximum sentence of fifteen years. The defendant was already given a lenient sentence; therefore, we must highly consider the protection of the people, most especially his victim and her rights,” Hinds said.
“With only nine months remaining for incarceration, we must all be reminded of the unbearable long-term effects that his traumatic ordeal has placed on his victim,” the prosecutor added.
“The victim will carry this experience over her lifetime for the rest of her life. Serving his full maximum possible sentence as penalty for such an invasive crime is in the best interest of the victim and her family,” Hinds said.
Blas and Sablan appeared before the parole board for a hearing on July 7, 2022.
