Posted on 03/10/2006 7:50:36 AM PST by LouAvul
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has decided to parole James Tramel, a convicted murderer who became an Episcopal priest while behind bars, according to a spokeswoman for the governor.
The state parole board voted last October to release Tramel, 38, who was convicted in 1986 of killing a homeless man in Santa Barbara. Schwarzenegger, who rejected parole for Tramel a year ago, declined this time around to review his case, said Julie Soderlund, an aide to the governor.
Tramel is scheduled to be released Sunday, said the Rev. Richard Helmer, a San Francisco clergyman who coordinated a campaign for his parole.
"I feel humbled," Tramel said from Solano State Prison in Vacaville. "I feel the weight of my responsibility to justify the faith that people have put in me."
Schwarzenegger's office did not say why the governor changed his mind about paroling Tramel.
His decision met with harsh criticism from Edward Stephenson, father of the murder victim, Michael Stephenson.
"We certainly don't want him out but there's not a thing we can do," said Stephenson, of Newport Beach.
(Excerpt) Read more at modbee.com ...
>>Schwarzenegger's office did not say why the governor changed his mind about paroling Tramel. >>
Forgiveness is golden. But with the Gov be equally quiet if this killer kills again?
Pardoning a murderer? Liberal.
I would get worked up about this, but the guy's sentence was "15 years to life". Being that he was convicted and sentenced 20 years ago (2006-1986=20 last I looked), the man has served at LEAST the minimum sentence.
If he has, indeed, changed his life and ways, the Governor was within his rights to grant parole. Not a pardon, parole. That means the guy still is on a short tether with the state, and one minor slip-up and back behind bars.
I'm all for punishment for crimes, but there is also this little thing called "debt to society paid".
Here's his picture here:
http://sfgate.com/c/pictures/2005/03/29/ba_tramel.jpg
Sure, they all find Jesus when they hear the iron bars click shut behind them.
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