Family fights killer’s parole

Sept. 10--A Wilson man convicted of killing his wife after he beat her with a pine log and left her to die in a fire could be released from prison on parole after serving two decades behind bars.

But family members of the woman he killed plan to fight his release.

The North Carolina Post-Release Supervision and Parole Commission is considering 55-year-old Clifton Junior Felton for possible parole, according to a notification letter from the agency.

Felton pleaded guilty to killing his 33-year-old wife, Susan Bobbitt Felton, at their Rogers Avenue home in Wilson on Dec. 31, 1994.

"He hasn't served enough time for justice to be served in my book," said Susan's brother, James Bobbitt III, of Wilson. "The main thing is if they let him out, he's going to hurt somebody else. It was a brutal murder. If he were to get out, he could do it again. He's a danger to society; he's a danger to women."

Susan's sister, Carol Bobbitt Kappelle, who now lives in New Bern, said when she received the letter from the Post-Release Supervision and Parole Commission last month, it brought many emotions.

"I knew when I got it they were thinking about paroling him," she said through tears. "I had always dreaded that day."

Last month, Susan Felton's family received the notification letter informing them they had 30 days to provide their views, information and letters for the commission to consider. Thursday marks the 30-day period.

"He is a menace to society," Kappelle said. "He brutally murdered my sister for $100,000 life insurance policy. And he was cheating on her when he did it."

'BRUTAL' MURDER

Felton was initially charged with first-degree murder and first-degree arson. In September 1995, he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and first-degree arson. He was sentenced to life in prison.

Felton is accused of beating Susan unconscious with a fire log 11 times. He then doused the Rogers Avenue home with gas and set it on fire. Susan managed to make to the door, through the smoke and flames, only to be pushed back into the burning home, her brother said. Susan and her dog, Kipp, were found dead in a bedroom corner.

Susan died as a result of smoke inhalation and head trauma.

"He apparently beat her with a pine log and left her to die in the fire," Wilson Police Chief Tom Younce said in the Jan. 10, 1994 edition of The Wilson Times.

Family members said that due to police at the time handling the fire evidence inappropriately, they could not prosecute the murder as a capital case and could not prove the premeditation of first-degree murder. Instead, the family settled for a second-degree murder charge, which carried a life sentence, James Bobbitt said.

"The ball got dropped," said Kappelle. "We got the best we could get according to the assistant district attorney (at the time)."

Felton has been parole eligible since January 2007, according to state officials. His case has been reviewed three times since then, but all were denied. Felton was a member of the Wilson Fire Department for four years until he resigned in 1989, according to reports. There was no prior record of any domestic problems between the two before the fatal incident occurred.

'NEVER THE SAME'

Since the day she was killed, Susan's family said they've been reeling from the pain of losing her.

"New Year's Day is never the same, ever," said Kappelle. "To watch your parents in agony over losing a child ... piece by piece it took their health."

Susan's parents are the late Dewey and Jan Bobbitt Jr. The family was known by many throughout Wilson. Dewey Bobbitt Jr. owned Bobbitt Appraisal Reality, which was behind Dick's Hotdog Stand. And Susan worked for the family business up until her death.

James Bobbitt said anytime someone came up to his mother she would always talk about Susan.

"She would break down and cry every time," he said.

The family said they never suspected that Felton physically abused their sister. But Kappelle said she does believe he verbally abused her sister, which is another form of domestic violence, she said.

Kappelle said years ago forms of domestic violence weren't really known as they are now.

"It was not publicly discussed," she said.

Communities are more educated on the various form of domestic violence and the signs, she added.

But since her sister's death, she has had opportunities to share her sister's story with other women who are living in a domestic violence home. She said she always tells them to flee the situation now, not later.

'I GOT A LIFE SENTENCE WITHOUT MY SISTER'

James Bobbitt said his sister was a good girl who never hurt anybody.

"She was loving and giving," he said. "Very family oriented. We were all close."

Kappelle said she and her sister spent a lot of time together. They also had the same circle of friends. And those friends are still a part of Kappelle's life and they, too, have written letters in support of keeping Felton behind bars.

Kappelle said she also has her sister's artwork and pottery throughout her New Bern home as reminders.

"She's never forgotten," Kappelle said.

James Bobbitt agreed.

"She's my angel," he said. "She's looking over us."

He said he's also more at peace knowing Felton is behind bars and can't harm anyone else. And that's why they will fight to keep him in prison, he said.

"He can't take anybody else's sister, niece or daughter," he said.

Kappelle said she hopes Felton isn't released.

"I hope they are going to keep him in there," she said. "I don't care what the sentence is or how many years he should spend, I got a life sentence without my best friend and sister."

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