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Sacramento, California (AP) -Friday’s California panel denied the parole of followers of cult leader Charles Manson, who was convicted of the murder more than half a century ago.
Bruce Davis had previously been recommended to be released on parole seven times, but these findings were rejected by three consecutive governors. The parole commissioner told 79-year-old Davis to try again three years later.
“They said he lacked empathy,” Davis lawyer Michael Beckman said after a hearing in front of the two parole committee members.
Davis says he helped kill musicians Gary Hinman and stuntman Donald “Shorty” Shay in 1969.
“I wanted to be Charlie’s favorite man,” he said at a 2014 parole hearing.
Later, other believers wrote a “political piggy bank” on the wall of Hinman’s house with his own blood.
Davis was not involved in the more notorious killings of actress Sharon Tate and six others by Manson Cult in the same year.
“The last 14 members of the parole committee have determined that Bruce Davis is suitable for parole,” said Beckman, a lawyer for Davis. “It’s horrifying that these two members think they know better.”
Governor Gavin Newsom consistently rejected parole recommendations to Davis and other Manson followers who died in prison at the age of 83 in 2017. His release was previously blocked by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Governor Jerry Brown.
Anthony Di Maria, nephew of victim Thomas Jay Sebring, opposed Davis’ parole on behalf of Hinman’s family.
“Bruce Davis stayed in prison because his crimes were so serious and serious that his permanent influence shook our country to its core,” Di Maria said.
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