A Carter County woman, sentenced to life for a murder that took place in June 1993 at a local market, has been granted parole, as confirmed by the State of Tennessee Board of Parole.

Donna Sexton, now 54, received parole following an independent case review by the Debra K. Johnson Rehabilitation Center on October 8. The Board of Parole finalized this decision with unanimous approval from four members on October 15.

Sexton had been serving her life sentence after entering a no-contest plea to the murder of Angela June Whitehead Montgomery in 1993. During a robbery at the Valley Forge Market on June 14, 1993, Sexton, along with William Matney Putnam, killed Montgomery before fleeing to Florida. Sexton became eligible for parole in 2017, having been 22 years old at the time of the crime.

William Matney Putnam, who pleaded guilty to the crime, is also serving a life sentence.

The Board of Parole evaluates parole requests individually, considering factors such as the gravity of the offense, time served, risk and needs assessments, the inmate’s behavior in prison, input from the victim, and statements from the offender and other stakeholders.

Sexton will have to adhere to the following list of post-release conditions, the Board of Parole said:

• Report to halfway house only
• Complete cognitive behavior invention programming
• Community service work until employed
• Forensic social worker referral to assist with any transitional needs
• Substance abuse treatment as assessed
• No contact with victim(s) family

The Board of Parole retains the right to revoke parole for those who do not comply with their post-release conditions.