POINT OF THE MOUNTAIN — The state Board of Pardons may never let Jacob Ethridge out of prison.

“It’s fair to say this case caught the board’s attention, clearly,” Jim Hatch, board spokesman, said after Ethridge’s first parole hearing Tuesday.

In a policy begun about 15 years ago, the board reviews every incoming inmate’s case involving a death.

Typically, murderers will have their original hearings set out 20 to 30 years, Hatch said.

In a rare move, possibly only the second since the administrative reviews began, the board opted to see Ethridge now rather than wait.

“The board is considering a natural life disposition, which would require Mr. Ethridge to serve the remainder of his life in prison, with no further consideration of release,” according to a statement released Tuesday explaining Ethridge’s early hearing.

A decision on the natural life question is expected in two to three weeks.

On Dec. 13, 2010, Ethridge, 34, was sentenced by 2nd District Judge W. Brent West to two consecutive 20-years-to-life prison terms in a double homicide.

Ethridge fatally shot two women and told police he fantasized about becoming a serial killer.

Left dead from single shots to the head were Teresa Rene Tingey, 43, and Rosanna Marie Cruz, 25, both prostitutes working Adams Avenue in the area of 26th and 24th streets. They, unfortunately, solicited Ethridge.

In his confession hours after the July 13, 2008, slayings, Ethridge told police he had been pondering a killing spree for more than a year.

But the thrill he sought wasn’t there, he told Ogden Police Detective Tim Scott.

“It wasn’t what I expected. I didn’t think I would feel remorse, and I do.”

He drove to his parents’ house in Roy immediately after the slayings, changed clothes and told his parents what he had done.

His father had him put the blood-spattered clothes back on and drove him to the Ogden Police Department.

Hatch said, in the 15 years of the administrative reviews, he could recall only one other instance of the board opting for the early hearing to consider natural life.

He said about 60 inmates at the prison are serving the natural-life sentences, which can only be ordered by the board.

At least 30 inmates are serving terms of life in prison without possible parole, he said — sentences from judges or juries, all on murder convictions.

While most serving the natural-life terms are murderers, Hatch said, the group also includes sex offenders.

Hatch said Ethridge’s 40-years-to-life prison sentence is one of the largest he’s ever seen.

Ethridge entered into a plea bargain in October 2010 to avoid the death penalty.

In return for the guilty pleas, prosecutors agreed not to ask for his execution and not to seek a life-without-parole sentence in return for the defense making no sentencing recommendations.

His six-hour sentencing hearing two months later detailed Ethridge’s psychological problems, which led to his discharge from the U.S. Marine Corps and the Utah Police Academy.

Ethridge currently is actually serving 41 years to life.

In announcing sentence, West, in addition to the consecutive 20-years-to-life terms, ordered another year to be served consecutively for an assault charge that came inside the Weber County Jail in December 2008.