Murder victim's families urge Ferguson to reverse Inslee pardon decision

UPDATE: Gov. Bob Ferguson issued an order Tuesday afternoon cancelling the planned release of convicted killer Timothy Robert Pauley. Click here for the latest story.

The previous story is below:

WASHINGTON STATE - Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson met with murder victims’ families on Monday as he contemplates whether to rescind a release order by his predecessor.

His predecessor, Jay Inslee, agreed to release Timothy Pauley from prison as part of a pardon that was signed before he left office.

Pauley was convicted in the murder of three people at the Barn Door Tavern in SeaTac back in 1980, including Loran Dowell. He is due to be released from DOC custody on Thursday.

His daughters urged Ferguson to reverse the Inslee decision.

RELATED: Gov. Jay Inslee cancels parole for convicted killer Timothy Pauley

“(Pauley) chose to open up the cooler and, point blank, executed our father and Robert, who posed him no harm. They were tied up in a cooler when he left, there were five people dead in his mind, and there were no witnesses that should be life in prison without any question.” Said Kelly Dowell-Tarp. She and her sister, Angie met with Ferguson, who is deliberating the issue.

The Governor’s office issued a statement that read “Governor Ferguson’s office was recently informed of Mr. Pauley’s impending release, currently scheduled for March 27. Governor Ferguson has the authority to cancel Mr. Pauley’s parole. Under Washington state law, that authority requires the Governor to thoroughly review the record before making his decision. Our office is currently conducting its review of the extensive record in this matter. The governor is meeting with family members of Pauley’s victims today.”

Former King County Sheriff and Congressman Dave Reichert has been actively involved in Pauley’s parole hearings and pushed to keep him in jail.

As part of a lengthy statement to KOMO News, Reichert wrote, “The parole board has cited that Pauley has been a model prisoner and completed drug and alcohol rehab programs as reasons supporting their decision to parole him. Pauley might have been a model inmate, but he was and is not a model citizen. He had his chance to be a productive member of the community, and he decided to viciously kill three people and attempt to kill two others.”

ALSO SEE: Murdered man's family fights killer's request for early prison release

“Pauley’s lack of remorse for killing three people and leaving two others for dead reminded me of Gary Ridgway and Ted Bundy. They had displayed the same lack of remorse for the many lives they had taken.” he wrote.

I pray that Gov. Ferguson has the courage to meet with family members and listen to the pain in their voices," wrote Reichert. "I heard the Gov. say during the campaign that he wants to be a change agent. In this moment in has the distinct opportunity to stand up for what’s right, to stand up for victims, to hold criminals accountable, to lead.