Parole Granted for Former Manson Family Member Bruce Davis

BRUCE DAVIS GRANTED PAROLE....

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Parole Granted for Former Manson Family Member Bruce Davis

 

San Luis Obispo – The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s Board of Parole Hearings (BPH) issued a grant of parole today for convicted killer and former Charles Manson associate Bruce Davis, 69, during a parole consideration hearing at California Men’s Colony. Today’s decision was the result of Davis' 27th parole suitability hearing.

The BPH issued a grant of parole to Davis in January 2010 because of his positive adjustment, record of no recent disciplinary problems, and for successfully completing academic and vocational education and self-help programs. However, the parole grant was reversed by former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in June 2010, who concluded Davis was still dangerous because of an evaluator’s diagnosis of a personality disorder, Davis’ conformist tendencies, and his sporadic participation in substance-abuse programs over the years.

Davis challenged Governor Schwarzenegger’s reversal of his parole grant in Los Angeles County Superior Court, which ruled against Schwarzenegger and vacated his decision.  In 2012, California’s Second District Court of Appeal upheld the Governor’s reversal of the January 28, 2010, grant, ruling that the Governor’s concerns were justified and supporting his conclusion that Davis was still dangerous.

Davis appeared before the panel today. The suitability finding is subject to a 120-day decision review period.  If the grant is finalized at the conclusion of decision review, the Governor may conduct an independent review of the decision. Under California law, the Governor may reverse, modify, affirm or decline to review the Board’s decision.

Davis was sent to state prison on April 21, 1972, with a life sentence from Los Angeles County for two counts of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder and robbery.  He was convicted for the July 25, 1969, murder of Gary Hinman and the murder of Donald “Shorty” Shea sometime in August 1969.

The BPH hearing transcript will serve as the official record and is expected to be transcribed in approximately 30 days.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Barbara Hoyt, left, a former member of the Manson Family, and Debra Tate, sister of Manson Family murder victim Sharon Tate, pose for photos moments before the start of Bruce Davis’ parole hearing at the California Mens Colony Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012 in San Luis Obispo, California.
Davis, imprisoned for 40 years in a double murder engineered by Charles Manson, won a recommendation of parole Thursday in his 27th appearance before a parole board panel.

Video Courtesy of Backporch Tapes

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

^{Bruce Davis (right) with his lawyer Michael Beckman moments before the start of his parole hearing (AP)}

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Anyone care to venture a prediction, on the governor's upcoming decision? 

"Put themselves out there", as it were...

It seems Governor Brown's track record is more lax in regards to parolees, than Arnold's was...

On the other hand...
Brown does have a political career to protect (like any other politican), and all that jazz.

How much will the "Manson" name and stigma effect Brown's decision in 2012?

How much fall-out could the governor expect from the release of a Manson associate in 2012?

How much does the general public really care at this point?

Are the folks in California more sensitive to this issue, than folks in say... Vermont?
(I tend to think so)

How would folks rate the fall-out following Grogan's release several years ago?
Did Grogan walk without a major national outcry?
Did the governor during Grogan's release, suffer ill consequence?

Weigh-in folks!