TOLEDO, Ohio — A man who killed a Toledo police detective on a foggy morning in north Toledo nearly 18 years ago will be eligible for parole before the Ohio Parole Board on Dec. 5.
Robert Jobe was 15 years old when he and Sherman Powell, 19, were in the midst of a drug deal on Bush and North Ontario streets just before 2 a.m. on Feb. 21, 2007.
According to Toledo police, Det. Keith Dressel, 35, and his partners interrupted the deal and Jobe and Powell took off running. Dressel's partners caught Powell while Dressel and Jobe exchanged shots. Dressel was shot once in the chest and died at Mercy St. Vincent's Medical Center a short time later.
Lucas County Prosecutor Julia Bates charged Jobe with murder and a gun specification as an adult. He was sentenced to 18 years to life and is currently serving that sentence at Marion Correctional Institution.
Jobe's hearing on Dec. 5 will be his first chance at parole, but his disciplinary record in prison could prove to be problematic for him.
According to documents reviewed by 11 Investigates, Jobe has committed dozens of violations since he was incarcerated in 2008, including 10 violations within the last year, most for intoxication.
Dressel's mother, Larraine Dressell, told 11 Investigates that she does not support his release and has written to the parole board to object to it.
"If he attended the classes he's supposed to attend, if honestly, he could say he's really sorry for what he did. He understands what he did, I might give it some consideration, some consideration, but at this point, no, no. In fact, my letter to the parole board was that at this time, I don't think he should be let out. I didn't say, 'never.' I just said, 'I don't think you should be let out at this time,'" Larraine said.
According to the parole board's website, it considers several factors when determining whether an inmate is eligible for parole, including, but not limited to, input from family, friends, the community, the prosecutor who tried the case, an inmate's behavioral record during incarceration and whether the inmate has completed classes or courses that would benefit them.
Gabe Davis, CEO of the Ohio Justice & Policy Center, told 11 Investigates that discipline can be problematic, especially if an incarcerated person is struggling with infractions within a five-year period.
"The parole board is looking at whether the person is a threat to society or an undue risk to public safety. It is hard to make that case with recent infractions, " Davis said.
Dressel left behind a wife, Danielle, and children, Sydney, 6, and Noah, 4, at the time of his death.