Saying he believes the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles has done a disservice to Gov. Bob Riley and the people of Alabama for its actions in setting free four convicted killers from Limestone County, Sen. Tom Butler sent letters to the governor and board members Friday asking for resignations and immediate action to rescind the parole orders.

“I oppose the release of four murderers from our prison system into the Limestone County community,” Butler told Riley. “The citizens of my district are outraged and I am also shocked and outraged by this action. I am appalled that this could possibly have been allowed by the parole board. The release of any violent criminal into society with our citizens is unacceptable.”

Butler opposed the release of the four inmates, telling the governor, “if this is the best they (parole board) can do, I think it is time we ask for resignations or possible firings.”

The State Board of Pardons and Paroles approved release of Charles Farinelli, 44, of Arab; Perry Lee Fleming, 64, of Tanner; Joseph Twarog, 45; and James Willie Harris, 41, of Athens. All four were either convicted of murder or pleaded guilty to murder in separate cases in Limestone County Circuit Criminal Court.

“I would like for an immediate explanation of this board decision,” Butler said in a letter to each of the seven parole board members. “Is there any way you can rescind the action of these four paroles?

“If this is the best service you can render to the governor and the people of Alabama, every board member should resign immediately.”

Butler said the letters went out Friday and he expects an answer to his questions soon.

“We’ve got 28,000 people in our jails and I realize we have to release some,” Butler said. “But you don’t start with murderers. Common sense tells you that.”

Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely and Limestone DA Kristi Valls were shocked when they got the news this week of the release. Both said they opposed the parole of all four inmates.

“I can’t believe they did it,” Blakely said. “I’m shocked and disappointed. These were brutal murders and we were opposed to any of them being released.”

Farinelli shot and killed Keith Heck in what Blakely called a “murder for hire” plot in 1986. Heck was shot in the head execution-style as he fled a home near Salem. He was convicted of murder by a Limestone County jury and served 19 years in prison before being paroled.

Fleming shot and killed his girlfriend, Mildred Webster, after breaking into her home on Oakdale Road. Blakely said he shot her several times with a 30-30 deer rifle and fled in her Cadillac. He was later apprehended in Indiana.

Fleming pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to life in prison. He served 16 years in prison as the result of the 1990 murder.

Fleming and Webster met at the General Motors Saginaw Steering Gear Plant where they both worked at the time of the murder.

Twarog stabbed and killed Raymond Delappe with a knife during a robbery at the Hatfield Campgrounds in April 1993.

He was sentenced to life in prison in March 1994 and served 12 years. A transient, Twarog robbed and killed Delappe who had taken him in and trusted him as his friend, police said.

Harris shot and killed his father, Charlie Harris, with a shotgun while in the course of committing a theft of a wallet and money in July 1993.

He was sentenced to life in prison for the murder and served 10 years before being paroled.

“I filed letters of protest in every one of these cases,” said Valls. “It is really very, very frustrating. I am kind of shocked because I objected to every single one of them.”