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Ex-Manson follower recommended for parole
The state parole board approved the release Thursday of a former Charles Manson follower convicted of two 1969 murders, leaving his fate up to Gov. Jerry Brown.
Bruce Davis, who turns 70 on Friday, was sentenced to life in prison for the Los Angeles-area murders of musician Donald Hinman and stuntman Donald "Shorty" Shea. He was not involved in the 1969 slayings of actress Sharon Tate and six others by members of Manson's so-called family.
Manson, whose death sentence for the Tate murders was overturned when the state Supreme Court declared California's death penalty law unconstitutional in 1972, remains in prison.
Three of his followers have been paroled: Steve Grogan, who was convicted of Shea's murder and helped police find his body; Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme, who served 25 years for trying to assassinate President Gerald Ford in Sacramento in 1975; and Sandra Good, who spent 15 years in prison for sending threatening letters to corporate executives in 1976.
The Board of Parole Hearings initially found Davis suitable for release in January 2010, citing his good behavior in prison, favorable psychiatric assessments and academic accomplishments. He has earned a master's degree and a doctorate in philosophy and religion, according to his lawyer.
But Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed his parole in June 2010, saying Davis' crime had been heinous, and that he had not shown enough insight or remorse to warrant being freed. A state appellate court upheld his decision.
A panel of the board again approved Davis' release Thursday at the California Men's Colony in San Luis Obispo. The full board has 120 days to modify or affirm the decision.
Brown - who has overturned the board's parole decisions far less often than his predecessors - would then have 30 days to conduct his own review.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley argued against parole, saying Davis still hasn't shown remorse or demonstrated he has been fully rehabilitated. Debra Tate, sister of the slain actress, also urged the board to keep Davis in prison.
Davis' lawyer, Michael Beckman, said Davis has had no disciplinary problems since 1980 and has become a minister and spiritual counselor to other inmates, a vocation he hopes to pursue outside prison.
Beckman said Davis had read a letter to the board from a prisoner who was planning to kill another inmate, and "Bruce talked him down. They prayed together, and he lost the desire.
"We hope that this time the governor will let it stand, and he can finally go home," Beckman said.
http://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/...le-3920662.php
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