DUSTIN VICKERS

The state Parole Board last week approved parolefor two more of the people serving life without parole sentences for murders convicted when they were younger than 18. The reviews arise from the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that said automatic life without parole sentences for juveniles were unconstitutional. This has set in motion a string of resentencings and parole hearings.

Parole eligibility was granted for:

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* Laura Berry, 50, who was 17 when she was sentenced to life in prison in 1985 for the beating death of her great aunt, Nancy Sangalli, 68, of Texarkana. A co-defendant avoided the death penalty by testifying against Berry. She contended she was not present when her aunt was killed.

* Dustin Vickers, 44, was 17 when Kenneth Jackson of Little Rock was slain in October 1990. He has contended he was an accomplice, but not the man who shot Jackson during a drug deal. The charge against his accomplice was dropped in his return for testimony. Vickers turned down a plea bargain of 20 years.

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Both remain jailed pending approval of parole plans. Their paroles came with a variety of additional conditions such as employment or community service if not employed, curfews and mental health counseling.