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Hare Family: Mike Was Loved And Deserves Justice; Jensen: He's A Changed Man

SDPB Radio | By Victoria Wicks

Published June 6, 2016 at 12:23 PM CDT

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LaRean Skogen Walker testifies for her brother Paul Jensen.

Cara Hetland

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Pastor Dave Sinkgraven tells Judge John L. Brown that Jensen is now a Christian.

Cara Hetland

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Clinical psychologist Antoinette Kavanaugh says Jensen does not fit antisocial diagnosis

Cara Hetland

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Psychiatrist Sarah Flynn diagnosed Jensen as having antisocial personality disorder

Victoria Wicks

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Sioux Falls attorney Jeff Larson argues for Jensen to get a parole possibility.

Victoria Wicks

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Inside the Stanley County courtroom, a photo of Mike Hare's cab is projected. Seated at tables are, from left, Assistant Attorney General Bob Mayer, Stanley County State's Attorney Tom Maher, Jensen's attorney Jeff Larson, and Jensen.

Victoria Wicks

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Mount Calvary Cemetery

Victoria Wicks

Mike Hare's family, from left: sister Liz Hare, sister-in-law Alice Hare, and brother Jamie Hare.

Paul Dean Jensen was serving life without parole for the murder and kidnapping of Mike Hare when the U.S. Supreme Court gave Jensen a second chance. The inmate was 14 years old when he committed his crimes. He was tried as an adult, and under South Dakota law at the time, his life sentence was mandatory. He spent almost 20 years in prison, and then his sentence was reconsidered at a hearing in Fort Pierre, held on June 2-3. SDPB's Victoria Wicks covered the hearing and brings you the story of Mike Hare, the boy who killed him, and the debate about the future of Paul Dean Jensen, now that he has come of age inside prison.

Paul Dean Jensen, now 34, turns to face Mike Hare's family as he gives a 10-minute statement at his hearing for sentence reconsideration.

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Paul Jensen's statement to the court and Mike Hare's family

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Sixth Circuit Presiding Judge John L. Brown pronounces a new sentence for murderer Paul Dean Jensen