No hearing for Hacking until 2035

Mark Hacking will spend at least 30 years in prison for the murder of his wife before the state parole board even considers a possible release date for the 29-year-old man.

"This is just a hearing," said Mike Sibbett, chairman of the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole. "There is no guarantee that he will ever receive a release date."

Mark Hacking pleaded guilty to shooting his wife, Lori Kay Soares Hacking, in their Salt Lake apartment on July 18 and disposing of her body in a Dumpster at the University of Utah.

News of the 2035 initial hearing date came as members of the Utah Sentencing Commission seek to stem public outcry that arose from Hacking's original sentence of six years to life, which many perceived as too lenient given the circumstances of the case.

The commission is considering a recommendation to lawmakers that would increase the sentence for first-degree felony murder to 15 years to life in prison, rather than the five-to-life term now mandated by statute. Hacking received an additional year for using a violent weapon in the commission of his crime.

On Wednesday, Lori's father, Eraldo Soares, said his "prayers had been answered" now that Hacking will spend at least the next three decades in prison.

"It makes me feel very good," he said. "When I got the message (about his parole hearing) I was so happy he's getting that. I told all my neighbors. I had to share my joy. He's going to pay for what he did."

Soares said he cried tears of joy when he heard the news. He said he wasn't looking forward to the possibility of attending parole hearings every few years and "have to listen to that garbage that Mark always comes up with."

Lori's brother, Paul Soares, echoed those sentiments, saying it was more than what he expected.

"From everything I'd heard, I thought it would be a lot less. I'm ecstatic the board has done this," he said.

Soares said he was also happy the board made its decision so quickly. He said the timing of the announcement will help ease some of the upcoming unpleasant anniversaries.

It was a year ago during the Fourth of July holiday that Soares saw his sister alive for the last time. With the anniversary of her disappearance and murder around the corner, Soares said it's nice to know that the family will soon be able to move on with their lives without having to worry about Mark.

"We know what's going to happen. We know he'll be in prison for 30 years. It's a good thought," he said.

The parole board, as a matter of course, schedules an initial hearing date for inmates convicted of first-degree murder within six months of sentencing. Most will receive their hearing date anywhere between 18 and 35 years from the time of sentence, Sibbett said.