A Dodge City man who was 14 when he was convicted of murder is scheduled for his first parole hearing this month.

Rafael Flores, now 29, has served 15 years in prison for the October 1996 murder of 18-year-old Justin Mercado. Flores, who was in a gang, gunned down Mercado in the Boot Hill Museum parking lot.
Mercado was not a gang member.

Justin’s mother, Vicki Mercardo, said that she met with Flores in prison and has forgiven him.

But she says forgiveness doesn’t mean that she believes Flores should be released from prison. She says she still thinks he should serve a life sentence.

A decision on whether Flores is paroled is expected by November.