Dunlop’s fourth parole review concludes, decision pending

William Dunlop’s fourth parole review concluded on Thursday, October 22, with a provisional decision expected within 14 days on whether he should be released or have his custody conditions changed. The Parole Board’s outcome remains pending. Dunlop, 63, was convicted of murdering Julie Hogg in 2006 and is serving a life sentence. Hogg, 22, was strangled in 1989 at her home in Billingham, County Durham. Her body was found behind a bath panel by her mother, Ann Ming, more than two months later. During the hearing, Dunlop said he believed he would have committed further murder or serious violence had he remained free. He told the panel that entitlement and an inability to handle rejection drove the killing, and said he had experienced brief euphoria after realizing Hogg was dead. He also said he now understood the family’s grief after the death of his own son. Kevin Hogg, Julie’s son, said the family believes Dunlop is misleading the parole system and should not be released. He challenged Dunlop’s claim of empathy, saying the bereavements could not be compared. Ming has also opposed release, citing public protection. The family’s judgments about Dunlop’s sincerity and risk are...