Parole hearing rescheduled for convicted murderer

A man convicted of murdering his wife nearly four decades ago had his parole hearing reschduled for next month.

Jerry Forsyth, 71, was convicted in 1986 of killing his wife, Karen (Kienas) Forsyth, on Dec. 12, 1979 because he was having an affair and wanted to retain her share in the bowling alley they ran together in Kalispell.

Forsyth was sentenced to 110 years in state prison for the crime. He was been up for parole three times, in 2002, 2007 and 2012. His upcoming parole hearing will be Wednesday, June 27.

Sharon Snell, the sister of the victim, has worked to keep Forsyth in the Montana State Prison since his first parole hearing in 2002. Snell said she will continue to oppose his release.

“I owe it to my parents and my sister to see he doesn’t get out of prison and hurt any more people,” Snell said. “He hasn’t even served a third of his sentence. He needs to stay where he is — in prison. And my family is still afraid of him.”

Snell is asking those who know about the case or learn about it to write letters opposing Forsyth’s parole.

Snell is concerned that as time passes and her family members who have passed on, there won’t be as much attention to the case.

“Many family members have passed away and I’m concerned about him getting out and coming after those of us who are still here,” Snell said.

Karen Forsyth was 31 years old when she was shot and killed by Forsyth at their business, the Skyline Bowling Alley.

Forysth and his friend Douglas Richards planned the murder, according to law enforcement officials.

Comments for the Montana State Board of Pardons and Parole can be mailed to 1002 Hollenbeck Road, Deer Lodge, MT 59722.

Reporter Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 758-4441 or sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com.