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Former Manson Follower Bruce Davis Will Not Be Paroled, Rules Governor Jerry Brown
As his predecessor Arnold Schwarzenegger did, California Governor Jerry Brown has reversed the state parole board's decision to release former Charles Manson follower Bruce Davis from prison.Brown wrote in a six-page document on his decision that he believes Davis "poses a danger to society," according to City News Service.
Davis, now 70, was granted parole in October 2012, and has been incarcerated for 40 years, serving life sentences for two 1969 murders separate from the more notorious slaying of actress Sharon Tate and several others at her rented hilltop home. His convictions are for the murder of Gary Hinman on July 25, 1969, and for the murder of Donald "Shorty" Shea sometime between August 16 and September 1, 1969, though some believe Davis is tied to at least one other killing.
Brown addressed the killings in his reversal of the parole decision:
"Davis played a central role in these murders. He was a part of the (Manson) Family's discussions to rob and kill Mr. Hinman." [...] [Davis] now admits that he pointed the gun at Mr. Hinman while Manson mutilated Mr. Hinman's face. [...] He was also a part of the family's discussions to kill Mr. Shea. Davis and the others surrounded and viciously attacked Mr. Shea. Davis now states he sliced Mr. Shea from his armpit to his collarbone while his crime partners repeatedly stabbed and clubbed Mr. Shea. He later bragged about how Mr. Shea's body had been dismembered and decapitated."
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Prosecutors have been pressuring Brown to keep Davis behind bars. Manson Family prosecutor Stephen Kay said recently he believes Davis should die in prison. Additionally, Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey urged Brown not to release Davis. In a letter to Brown, Lacey described Davis as Charles Manson's "right hand man," and that he "has been diagnosed with narcissistic and antisocial personality traits," leading her to believe Davis poses a threat to society.Relatives of Davis' victims also expressed their wish to see Brown keep Davis locked up.
Davis, who is incarcerated at the California Men's Colony in San Luis Obispo, has been active in prison ministries. He is a born-again Christian and has earned a doctorate degree in philosophy of religion while behind bars.
Still, Brown remains unconvinced of Davis' complete rehabilitation. "Until Davis can acknowledge and explain why he actively championed the Family's interests, and shed more light on the nature of his involvement, I am not prepared to release him," writes Brown.
Davis was similarly granted parole in 2010, only to have Schwarzenegger reverse that decision. Davis challenged Schwarzenegger's decision, but the decision was upheld, so it was back to lockup for Davis.
And so it's in lockup where Davis will remain thanks to Brown's ruling today.
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