How is the Parole Board to determine if the condition of rehabilitation has been met? They look at the record. The record includes information of the assault and the fact that this inmate has continued to break the rules while in prison. Does that sound like rehabilitation to you?
As to why the information regarding the assault was not presented at trial, it appears that under the previous law in North Carolina a conviction for burglary was as good as one for burglary with assault, since the assault could be considered by the Parole Board at the appropriate time. If this had not been the case, perhaps the Prosecution would have gone for the greater charge, instead of settling for the "slam-dunk" on burglary and theft. But these "what-ifs" are ultimately unknowable.
But the fact of the matter is that the Parole Board is permitted to come to a reasonable conclusion regarding the assault based on the information before them, and has concluded that the assault took place. Based on that, and this prisoner's record since then, they seem to be making the right call.
The record indicates that this prisoner has been no worse and no better than most, many of whom received parole.
The record indicates that assault should not have been considered since it could not be proved in court and the parole board has no business second-guessing the court.
The record indicates that rehabilitation in prison is a complete sham...and every parole board in this day and age knows it.
The record indicates quite clearly that this parole board is in the business of lying about what it does, of dispensing Catch 22 justice...and that its members are unfit to serve and probably belong in prison.
The record indicates - if your information is correct and the previous law treated burglary and burglary with assault as equally heinous crimes - that the State of North Carolina was unfit to pass judgement on anyone.
Despite all the above you conclude that the Parole Board came to a reasonable conclusion and made the right call.
...No wonder the Bible includes a parable about beams and motes.