The Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles denied parole for a man convicted of an attempted rape and kidnapping in Helena.

The board denied the parole of Gary Owens Matthews during a March 30 meeting in Montgomery.

Matthews was convicted of kidnapping and attempting to rape a woman working as a student intern at Helena Elementary School in 1992.

Matthews was sentenced to a total of 70 years for the crimes, but the parole board considered releasing him 33 years early. Alabama Attorney General Troy King appeared before the board March 30 to protest Matthews’ release.

During Matthews’ original trial, the victim testified Matthews confronted her at her parents’ house before forcing her to enter a wooded area.

After Matthews forced the victim to the wooded area, the victim said he sexually assaulted her before she was able to escape and alert authorities.

“Gary Owen Matthews is a dangerous and wicked predator, and should be required to serve every day of his sentences,” King wrote in a letter to the board.

“We kept another rapist monster in prison for his unspeakable crime at this morning’s parole hearing,” King wrote in a Twitter post.

Matthews is currently being held in the Draper Correctional Facility in Elmore.