Latest news with #CaliforniaDepartmentofCorrections
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Inmate recaptured after brief escape from L.A. County firefighting camp
An inmate who walked away from an L.A. County firefighting camp was recaptured hours later, the second such incident in California in the last week, the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said Monday. The 33-year-old inmate, Angel Gaxiola, was discovered missing by the staff during a head count at Holton Conservation Camp, which is in the mountains northeast of Sylmar, about 9 p.m. Sunday, the department said. A call went out to local law enforcement, and about 8 a.m. Monday, the Upland police apprehended Gaxiola, the department said. Prison officials did not say where Gaxiola was arrested, but Sylmar is about 50 miles from Upland. Gaxiola, who was serving a six-year sentence for robbery, had been at Holton Conservation Camp since January. The fire camp is jointly operated by the Los Angeles County Fire Department and state prison officials and is staffed by county firefighters and corrections personnel who supervise incarcerated fire crews. The crews at Holton clear brush and establish fire lines during wildland fires, the state said. Crews also perform park maintenance and brush clearance for fire prevention at well-known L.A. landmarks, including the Hollywood Bowl, Mt. Wilson and the trails of Angeles National Forest, the state said. The department said Gaxiola's case was referred to the Los Angeles County district attorney "for consideration of escape charges." His recapture occurred two days after authorities apprehended another inmate who walked away from a firefighting camp in El Dorado County in Northern California. Dion Harvey, 24, was similarly discovered missing from his bunk during a camp count Friday night at Growlersburg Conservation Camp, the corrections department said. A search followed, and he was captured Saturday morning. The California Department of Corrections, which has reported other similar cases in recent months, said in a statement on its website that since 1977, "99 percent of all people who have left an adult institution, camp, or in-state contract bed or Community Rehabilitative Program Placement have been apprehended." Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Toronto Sun
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
Parole hearing for Menendez brothers delayed until August
Published May 20, 2025 • 1 minute read This combination of two booking photos provided by the California Department of Corrections shows Erik Menendez, left, and Lyle Menendez. Photo by California Department of Corrections / AP LOS ANGELES — Erik and Lyle Menendez's hearing in front of the California state parole board has been pushed to August, their attorneys said Tuesday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The delay comes after Gov. Gavin Newsom withdrew his request for the parole board to evaluate the brothers for clemency as they seek their freedom after 35 years behind bars for killing their parents. The brothers were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for fatally shooting their father, Jose Menendez, and mother, Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills mansion in 1989. They were 18 and 21 at the time. A Los Angeles judge opened the door to freedom last week by giving the brothers a new sentence of 50 years to life, making them immediately eligible for parole under California law because they were under the age of 26 when they committed their crimes. They initially had a clemency hearing scheduled in June, but it has since been converted to a parole suitability hearing and pushed back to Aug. 21 and 22, their lawyers said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Scott Wyckoff, executive officer of the California Board of Parole Hearings, said in an email to attorneys on both sides that Newsom withdrew the request for a clemency investigation last Thursday in light of the judge's resentencing decision. The governor's office declined to comment on the decision but noted that the clemency application was still considered active. The brothers' cousin, Anamaria Baralt, said in a video posted on her TikTok account that the change would benefit the brothers, given that many people are not granted parole at their first hearing. 'This is not a bad thing,' Baralt said. 'Most people prepare for parole for like a year … the more time that they can have to prepare, the better.' Read More Toronto Maple Leafs Columnists Basketball Columnists Editorial Cartoons
San Francisco Chronicle
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Drake urges Newsom to pardon Tory Lanez after California prison stabbing
Rapper Drake is urging California Governor Gavin Newsom to pardon fellow Canadian artist Tory Lanez, following a violent prison stabbing that sparked a surge of public support. Lanez, whose legal name is Daystar Peterson, is serving a 10-year sentence at California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi (Kern County) for shooting rapper Megan Thee Stallion in the foot in 2020. He was hospitalized last week with what authorities described as non-life-threatening injuries after being attacked during morning yard time. According to a post on his Instagram account, Lanez was stabbed 14 times, suffered two collapsed lungs, and was transported by ambulance to a hospital in Bakersfield. In response, Drake shared a petition calling for Lanez's release, posting 'come home soon' on his Instagram Story on Friday, May 16. The petition, titled Pardon Tory Lanez: Urge Governor Newsom to Correct a Deep Injustice, alleges 'overwhelming evidence of prosecutorial misconduct, missing forensic data, and politically motivated sentencing.' The petition was launched by the Caldwell Institute for Public Safety, a Miami-based organization with ties to conservative legal figures. Since Drake's endorsement, the number of signatures has nearly doubled, reaching over 268,000 as of the weekend. 'Justice is not served by silencing voices or succumbing to mob pressure,' the Institute stated. 'We must stand for fairness, even when it's unpopular.' Lanez was convicted in December 2022 of assault with a semiautomatic firearm and two related charges stemming from the July 2020 shooting, which occurred after a party at Kylie Jenner's house. This is not the first time Drake has voiced support for Lanez. In a December livestream, he toasted the rapper, saying, 'Three up T, man. Three up T. I know they don't want to hear me say that. Three up T.' 'Three' is a play on the word 'free' and also symbolizes the number three, often used to represent broken handcuffs and the concept of liberation. Lanez is eligible for parole in 2029. The California Department of Corrections identified Santino Casio, who is serving a life sentence for murder, as the suspect in the stabbing.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tory Lanez's Condition Now 'Stabilized' After Prison Stabbing
Rapper Tory Lanez is recovering after a violent prison stabbing left him with multiple injuries, including collapsed lungs. The incident occurred on May 12, 2025, at the California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi, where Lanez is serving a 10-year sentence for the 2020 shooting of fellow rapper Megan Thee Stallion. Despite the severity of the attack, Lanez's condition has stabilized, and he is reportedly in good spirits. Tory Lanez has pulled through a terrifying experience and is on the road to full recovery. On May 12, Lanez was attacked by a fellow inmate. The assault occurred around 7:20 a.m. in a housing unit of the prison, leaving the victim in critical condition with multiple stab wounds. Following the incident, 911 responded immediately and began first aid before transporting Lanez to the hospital in Bakersfield, where he started receiving treatment. Days after the violent attack occurred, TMZ has confirmed that the Canadian singer is back in the prison hospital. According to the outlet, Lanez's condition has now 'stabilized,' as he is breathing independently and can communicate. In addition, the prison officials have said Lanez is currently in fair condition. Tory Lanez's team shared a message on his Instagram page revealing the extent of the injuries the 32-year-old suffered. The statement, which has since garnered over a million reactions, revealed that the 'Lady of Namek' crooner sustained 14 stab wounds. 'Tory was stabbed 14 times— including 7 wounds to his back, 4 to his torso, 2 to the back of his head, and one to the left side of his face,' the post read. It also revealed that the attack caused both of Lanez's lungs to collapse, forcing him to be placed on a breathing apparatus. 'He is now breathing on his own. Despite being in pain, he is talking normally, in good spirits, and deeply thankful to God that he is pulling through. He also wants to thank everyone for their continued prayers and support,' the statement concluded. Following the shocking revelation, the identity of the inmate who stabbed Tory Lanez was revealed to be 42-year-old Santino Casio, a convicted killer with a lengthy history of violent crimes. In 2004, he began serving a life sentence with the possibility of parole after he was convicted of second-degree murder, first-degree attempted murder, personal use of a dangerous or deadly weapon, and inflicting great bodily injury. Despite being in prison, Casio didn't drop his violent ways, accumulating more charges. In 2008, he bagged another six-year sentence for attacking a fellow inmate with a deadly weapon with the intention of causing bodily harm. A decade later, he was sentenced to two years in prison for possessing and manufacturing a deadly weapon. Now in 2025, it appears Casio might bag even more years in jail. But for now, he has been placed in restricted housing as the California Department of Corrections and the Kern County District Attorney's Office have opened an investigation. Though Lanez's condition has stabilized, the motive behind the stabbing has not been made public. Authorities are now wondering why Casio would attack Lanez, considering he also has multiple jail sentences. Before the attempt on his life, Tory Lanez was serving a ten-year sentence. In December 2022, he was convicted of shooting fellow artist Megan Thee Stallion in the foot during a July 2020 altercation in Los Angeles. The jury found Lanez guilty on three felony counts: assault with a semiautomatic firearm, carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm, and discharging a firearm with gross negligence. During the trial, Megan testified that Lanez shot at her feet after an argument, causing her to undergo surgery to remove bullet fragments. She also claimed Lanez offered her $1 million to stay silent and was granted a five-year restraining order against him, active until 2030. Lanez maintained his innocence and refrained from apologizing, asserting he was wrongfully convicted. However, he was sentenced in August 2023 and is eligible for parole in 2029. Nearly two years into his prison sentence, Walter Roberts, the legal lead for Unite the People (UTP), has presented new claims regarding the case. According to Roberts, Megan's former best friend, Kelsey Harris's bodyguard, Bradley James, came forward with a statement where he claimed that he overheard Harris saying that she fired the gun and not Lanez. However, Megan's lawyer, Alex Spiro, responded to the claims by citing the full legal process leading to Lanez's conviction. In a statement, Spiro said per XXL, 'Tory Lanez was tried and convicted by a jury of his peers and his case was properly adjudicated through the court system. This is not a political matter — this is a case of a violent assault that was resolved in the court of law.'
Newsweek
14-05-2025
- Newsweek
Menendez Brothers "Likely to be Released" On Parole: Legal Experts
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Menendez Brothers' reduced sentencing ruling means they are "likely to be released" on parole, according to legal experts. Former assistant U.S. attorney Neama Rahmani told Newsweek: "The brothers are very likely to be released within a matter of months." This sentiment was echoed by Colorado-based criminal defense attorney Eric Faddis, who said: "The momentum is in the Menendez brothers' favor and I think they are likely to be released on parole." These statements come after Erik and Lyle Menendez had their life sentences reduced by a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge. Erik Menendez, left, and Lyle Menendez inside the California Department of Corrections. Erik Menendez, left, and Lyle Menendez inside the California Department of Corrections. California Dept. of Corrections via AP, File Why It Matters The Menendez Brothers have faced a lifetime behind bars since 1996 after being convicted of murdering their parents in 1989. Now, for the first time in nearly 30 years, they may have the opportunity to leave prison. Both lawyers told Newsweek that the media played a significant part in reducing the brothers' sentences as public interest in their case was revived following the release of several documentaries, podcasts, and dramatizations of the brothers in the past decade. Attorney Mark Geragos, left, speaks in front of family and supporters of Erik and Lyle Menendez after the brothers' resentencing hearing Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in Los Angeles. Attorney Mark Geragos, left, speaks in front of family and supporters of Erik and Lyle Menendez after the brothers' resentencing hearing Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in Los Angeles. Damian Dovarganes/AP Photo What To Know Erik and Lyle Menendez had their life sentence without parole reduced to a 50-year-to-life sentence, opening up the opportunity for parole as California law allows for parole to be considered in cases involving people who committed crimes when under the age of 26. Lyle Menendez was 21 years old, and Erik was 18 years old when they shot and killed their parents. The brothers are now 57 and 54, respectively. The brothers argued in court and have maintained to this day that they were victims of domestic and sexual abuse at the hands of their father. Attorney Faddis told Newsweek that one factor in their reduced sentencing was the popularity of the Ryan Murphy Netflix show Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, as well as increased attention via social media and new documentaries. "Younger generations hadn't even heard of the Menendez brothers until the recent uptick in media attention caused many to take a second look and question the appropriateness of a life-without-parole sentence," said Faddis. "Social media and the Netflix series about the case galvanized support behind the brothers that it seemed public officials simply couldn't ignore." This was seconded by Rahmani, who said: "It just goes to show the power of a Netflix series to influence or initiate court cases. We've seen it time and time again, with Britney Spears, R. Kelly, and Mike Jeffries, the former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch. "It's just a political reality that media exposure plays a big role in greasing the wheels of the justice system. There's really not much of a line between politics and the law right now. Faddis spoke to the work the brothers had been putting in behind bars to provide therapy for victims of sexual abuse, saying he believes they will be released on parole, as the factors in determining release include looking at whether they have a criminal history and whether they engaged in rehabilitation work while in prison. The only reason they may not be allowed parole, said Faddis, is that the parole board may be lenient given their argument against their father but could determine that "the same mitigation does not exist regarding the killing of the mother." Rahmani explained to Newsweek that if the brothers are released on parole, that opportunity comes with stipulations. "Even though they'll be free, they're still subject to supervision by their parole officers," explained Rahmani. "There may be restrictions on where they can live, work, and travel, and they may have to submit to drug tests and mental health counseling. It's up to the parole board." Lyle, left, and Erik Menendez leave a courtroom in Santa Monica, California, August 6, 1990. Lyle, left, and Erik Menendez leave a courtroom in Santa Monica, California, August 6, 1990. Nick Ut, File/AP Photo What People Are Saying Criminal defense attorney Eric Faddis told Newsweek: "The parole board considers several factors in determining release and those factors appear to weigh in favor of the brothers, including a lack of other criminal history, significant family support, a stable environment post-release, efforts while in prison to combat child sexual abuse, and the crime resulting in part from prior abuse at the hands of the father, at least according to defense." Former assistant U.S. attorney Neama Rahmani told Newsweek: "The parole board is going to be overwhelmed with voices in support of the brothers, and the fact that Governor Newsom ordered the comprehensive risk assessment before they were even eligible for parole leads me to believe he's not going to block their release. Every living family member of Jose and Kitty Menendez supported their release, which is almost unheard of in a murder case like this one." What Happens Next Rahmani told Newsweek that although he does expect the brothers to be released on parole, it could take months to reach that decision as the parole board is currently backed up with cases.
