BELOIT鈥擜 convicted killer who shot and killed a Beloit woman who was the mother of three of his children is to appear for a parole hearing Wednesday.
On Jan. 29, 1994, Tina Keller was found deceased with multiple gunshot wounds at a mobile home in the 2600 block of Colley Road.
Later that year, Randal Keller accepted a plea agreement with the Rock County District Attorney鈥檚 Office and pleaded no contest to first-degree homicide and was sentenced to life in prison with a chance for parole.
He is scheduled for a hearing before the Wisconsin Parole Board on Wednesday, according to Oliver Buchino of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. It will be a closed session.
Tina Keller鈥檚 children and sisters have been trying to convince the commission not to grant Randal Keller parole. They have sent letters, photographs and have provided impact statements to the panel.
鈥淲e are not allowed to be present at the upcoming hearing, which scares us,鈥 said Tammy Elliott, Tina鈥檚 sister. 鈥淢y sister, Tina鈥檚 children and I have been at nearly all the parole hearings so far.鈥
When their mother died in January 1994, Tina鈥檚 children, Justin, Brittany and Ashley, were 5, 6 and 7 years old, respectively.
Elliott adopted all three of her sister鈥檚 children and raised them.
鈥淎shley is working on her doctorate degree, Brittany is going to school for nursing and Justin is home after serving six years in the army,鈥 Elloitt said proudly. 鈥淭hey are all great kids and have not had any contact with their father other than the hearings.鈥
In the event Randal Keller is released, Brittany and Ashley Keller have filed for restraining orders against their father.
鈥淚 wanted to prove a point to him that we want nothing to do with him,鈥 Brittany Keller said. 鈥淒uring a recent hearing he expressed the intention of having a relationship with his children. I can speak for all of my siblings when I say we want absolutely nothing to do with him and don鈥檛 even consider him a father.鈥
The family is worried about their safety if Randal Keller is released from prison.
鈥淢y sister had a no-contact order with Randal (Keller) before she was murdered,鈥 said Diana James, another sister of Tina Keller. 鈥淎 restraining order is just a piece of paper, and I have obtained my FOID (firearm owner鈥檚 ID) card and concealed-carry license to protect myself.鈥
According to the family, Randal Keller had a history of abuse toward Tina Keller and her children.
鈥淭he police were called one time because (Randal Keller) chased my mom and my siblings down the road with a gun,鈥 Brittany Keller said.
Elliott described multiple instances of abuse including Randall Keller allegedly locking her sister in a basement and burning her clothes.
鈥淩andal Keller is not only a potential danger to us, but is a danger to the whole community,鈥 James said.