Скачать или смотреть Parole Watch: Family opposes release of man who killed their sister

WARREN COUNTY, Ohio (WKRC) - The family of a 19-year-old woman who was stabbed to death by her ex-boyfriend wants to prevent him from being granted parole.

Andrew Beckman was convicted of aggravated murder for the death of Brandy Southword in 1999. The two had a son together, Mogan. He was only 6 months old when his mother was killed. Beckman was sentenced to life in prison in 1999 but is eligible for parole after serving 20 years.

Southworth's sisters said they're doing everything they can to prevent Beckman from being paroled. They visited their youngest sister's grave Wednesday morning.

"It's very hard for me to come here, honestly, because this is not how I want to remember my sister. It's very difficult," said Lori Gilbert. "She was beautiful; she had the most amazing laugh. She was very young as a mother, but she was an amazing mother."

Denise Harper was the closest in age to Southword. She finds it somewhat peaceful to visit her sister's grave.

"You celebrate her 21st birthday at the cemetery, but there's just a peace knowing that she's OK now. She's with my father; her son's OK. You just kind of have to grab on to those things," Harper said.

Southworth was staying with friends in Morrow on the evening of July 25, 1999, when Beckman walked to the house from his home in Blanchester. He was armed with a knife.

"She had been abused back in May. They had just went to court and she was kind of living with some friends at the time and trying to start a new life," Harper said.

Warren County Prosecutor David Fornshell opposes Beckman's parole. He said a woman who lived next door heard the attack, and it sounded like someone was chopping wood.

"In this case, he literally showed up at her house with a butcher knife and stabbed her over 30 times, stabbed her so hard that literally the butcher knife went through her heart twice," Fornshell said.

Fornshell said during Beckman's trial, it was revealed that Southworth wanted Beckman to spend more time with their young son. Her sisters said since they lost their father when Southworth was 5, she felt it was important for her son to have a relationship with his father.

"In the hours leading up to this, there had been several threats made by him against her. They had common friends that were trying to make sure that he stayed away from her," Fornshell said.

Meanwhile, Southworth's family says Beckman has never shown remorse. They've started a Change.org petition opposing parole for Beckman.

"Don't forget her name; don't forget her smile; don't forget her laugh. She was our sister. She was our baby," Harper said.

Harper said Southworth's son is now 20 and is doing well. He was raised by her mother. He also opposes Beckman's release.

Southworth's family will meet with the parole board on May 20. Beckman will meet with the parole board on June 1 and a decision will come a couple of weeks later.