Iowa parole board denies commutation request from Anamosa inmate

The Iowa Board of Parole voted 5-0 today against commutation for 78-year-old Harry Sisco, who was convicted of murder in Scott County in the 1991 slaying of Audrey “Elaine” St. Clair of Milan, Ill.

About a dozen friends and family members of St. Clair made the trip to Des Moines for the hearing. Five spoke in front of the board, each asking that Sisco stay behind bars for the rest of his life.

“I believe he needs to give his life to the Iowa Department of Corrections because he took a life,” Angela Daniels, one of St. Clair's five children, told the board. She said her mother “is truly missed in every one of our hearts.”

Sisco, who appeared at the hearing via live video feed from Anamosa State Penitentiary, claimed the killing was an accident and he did not recall burying St. Clair's body. He said the two were “good friends” and that he should be set free to “save (taxpayers) some money and see if I can get a job somewhere.”

Sisco's request now goes to Gov. Terry Branstad, who has 90 days after receiving the board's recommendation to act upon it.