Even though California has softened parole eligibility, convicted Tulare County killer Benigno Melendres Sanchez wasn't released from Kern Valley State Prison on Thursday. Instead, Sanchez agreed with the Tulare County District Attorney's assessment that he wasn't suitable for parole. And, it was stipulated that Sanchez, 45, would serve five more...
Parole Denied in Murder of Developmentally Disabled Clovis Man
Gov. Gavin Newsom has blocked parole for the killer of a developmentally disabled Clovis man who was buried alive in 1980. Newsom on Thursday reversed an August decision by a state panel to grant parole to David Weidert. Listen to this article: Weidert, who is incarcerated at Soledad State...
Report: Racial Disparity in Prisons Narrows Across US
SACRAMENTO — Racial disparities have narrowed across the U.S. criminal justice system over 16 years, though black people are still significantly more likely to be behind bars than white people, new federal figures show. Racial gaps broadly declined in local jails, state prisons, and among people on probation and parole,...
He Buried Fresno Man Alive. DA Urges Newsom to Deny Parole.
Gov. Jerry Brown twice blocked parole for the killer of a developmentally disabled Fresno man who was buried alive in 1980. Now the state Parole Board again has granted a parole date for David Weidert, who murdered 20-year-old Michael Morganti to cover up a $500 burglary Weidert committed. Fresno County...
Sacramento’s Latest Reckless Law Will Give Lighter Sentences to 10,000 Repeat Felons
Jerry Dewayne Williams, if popular folklore is to be believed, should be coming up for parole soon. This spring marks the silver anniversary since Williams, better known as the “pizza thief,” received 25-years-to-life for shoplifting a slice of pizza at the Redondo Beach pier. Ever since, he’s been “the patron saint of...
Woman Who Livestreamed Fatal Merced Crash Arrested Again
STOCKTON — A California woman on parole after serving a sentence for driving drunk while livestreaming a crash that killed her younger sister in Merced County was arrested Thursday after crashing a car during a police pursuit, officials said. Officers arrested Obdulia Sanchez, 20, on weapons and traffic charges and...
Parole Denied Again in Chowchilla School Bus Hijacking
SACRAMENTO — California officials again rejected parole Tuesday for the last of three men convicted of hijacking a school bus full of children for $5 million ransom more than four decades ago. State parole officials decided that Frederick Woods, 67, can try again in five years. It's the 17th time...
'Tower Rapist' to Stay in Prison at Least 3 More Years
Facing broad opposition to his release from prison, the man known as the "Tower rapist" was a no-show at his parole board hearing this week. As a result, he will remain behind bars for at least three more years. Rudolph M. Acosta, 53, waived his right to a full parole...
United Fresno Council Opposes Release of 'Tower Rapist'
All six Fresno city council members signed a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom, expressing concern about the potential early release of Rudolph Acosta. As reported by others in the Fresno media, Acosta was known as the “Tower District Rapist” and sentenced to 78 years in prison. He was initially charged...
Manson Follower Van Houten Gets Another Shot at Release
LOS ANGELES — Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten is getting another chance at getting out of prison following a years-long saga that has seen a board recommend her parole three separate times. Van Houten's case is being heard before California's 2nd District Court of Appeal, which will consider whether...