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California Department of Corrections
Richard Schoenfeld, the convicted kidnapper who took 26 schoolchildren and their bus driver in Chowchilla, Calif., 36 years ago, is expected to be released from prison within the next week.
Richard Schoenfeld, the convicted kidnapper who took 26 schoolchildren and their bus driver in Chowchilla, Calif., and buried them alive in a rock quarry 36 years ago, is expected to be released from prison within the next week, NBC Bay Area has learned.
That is a big change from the 2021 parole date that Schoenfeld was last given.
But in a statement Friday to NBCBayArea.com, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation spokesman Luis Patino said: "Schoenfeld will be released to an undisclosed location during the second half of the month of June 2012. As this is a developing situation, no other details are available at this time.”
See the original story at NBCBayArea.com
Patino added that the prison body has "been informed that the California Supreme Court has declined to review an appellate court's earlier decision granting immediate parole to Richard Schoenfeld. As such CDCR does not have any legal option other than to release inmate Shoenfeld and will do so."
Schoenfeld, his brother, James Schoenfeld, and Frederick Woods kidnapped 26 children and their bus driver on July 15, 1976, buried them alive in a rock quarry in Livermore, Calif., and then planned to demand a $5 million ransom. The victims miraculously escaped.
Frank Edward Ray, the school bus driver hailed as a hero for helping lead the children to safety after 16 hours underground, died May 17 at the age of 91 in Chowchilla.
In March, the First District Court ruled that California's Board of Parolee Hearings improperly calculated Schoenfeld's release date after determining in 2008 that he could be safely paroled.
James Schoenfeld and Woods never have been found suitable for parole by the state board.
The trio, who were in their mid-20s at the time of the kidnapping, said they had fallen into debt because of a failed real estate deal and hatched the elaborate kidnapping as a way to rid themselves of financial worry, The Associated Press reported.
Laws in effect in 1977 when the three pleaded guilty made Richard Schoenfeld, and who hailed from a wealthy family in upscale Atherton, Calif., eligible for parole after only six months, but like the others, his parole was routinely denied, largely because of the seriousness of his crimes.
There have been a series of significant dates in Schoenfeld's legal case:
In 2008, the parole board ruled that Schoenfeld "would not pose an unreasonable risk of danger to society or a threat to public safety if released from prison."
But in August 2009, a second panel decided against granting parole to Schoenfeld, saying that a third panel should consider whether granting parole would be "improvident."
On April 5, 2011, the third panel held its hearing on the matter at the California Men's Colony in San Luis Obispo, where all three kidnappers are being held, and it ruled that parole would be appropriate for Schoenfeld.
But the panel said that based on its calculations Schoenfeld should not be released until November 2021.
However, the First District Court of Appeal said the parole panel "erred" because it violated its own rules and lacked authority to increase Schoenfeld's sentence after finding him suitable for parole.
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Don't ever let them out, not one of them. If they had not escaped who knows what would have happened. They were left buried alive in that bus. They should never get out of prison period, what is wrong with you people.
This guy should have life in prison. He intended to kill these people. It was not just a kidnapping. What did they think he was going to do?? Go back and release them?? And no, everyone blames California. I see other states that are just as bad, except for Texas and VIrginia where they follow through with their death penalties. California is wonderful. Everyone is just jealous, seriously. Not saying that as a joke. Beautiful weather, beautiful people, beaches, super rich communities, beautiful homes. Let's see if you find that in Ohio, or Nevada or some other ugly, hell hole.
The rural parts of California are wonderful; however, due to this little glitch called "majority rule", their residents don't call the shots in the state for the most part, they just have to put up with the insane taxes and regulations and idiocy like this, mostly promulgated by people from the urban and coastal areas. Very high price to pay for the privilege of living there.
I thinks that he looks remarkably youthful to have spent 30+ years in a maximum security prison.
Well the fact that Richard Schoenfeld is from Atherton, Ca., one of the wealthiest communities in Calif., pretty much says it all. Money talks and BS walks. I can almost guarantee that his brother will be released next, ruled suitable for parole or not. Someone was paid off or really conned or lobbied .............period!!!
As someone who worked for Calif. Dept. of Corrections for 27 years, I can just about ascertain that Schoenfield got involved in prison church activities, went to school or "worked", got to know his psychiatrists well, was probably a clerk for a captain on up to warden, and had the gift for gab. There are tricks for persuading the parole board to consider an inmate for parole, though admittedly most parole board folks can see through most of it. There are those inmates, however, who are very conning and deceiving and can talk the pants or skirts off of any parole board member. They have a lot of practice as that is all they do while in prison.....learn how to game and sweet-talk. He or she who does it best gets the prize.
Truly pitiful...keep him on a VERY short leash.
SMH!!! They need to keep his ass in there. He will do something else.. This country
Smoke mother nature, you'll get locked up for life, (like SO MANY have) kidnap a schoolbus full of kids, get released early.
There's something wrong with this picture!
Pot smokers don't go to prison only the dealers, I agree our judicial system is messed up though.
Look, people. He was in his mid-20's at the time. How many of us did stupid things - either large or small - when we were in our mid-20's? The human brain doesn't even finish maturing until around age 25 so obviously these guys were functioning with less-than-a full-brain. None of the kids kidnapped or the bus driver were killed. 36 years is a pretty long time to think about what a dumb idea this was. I think he might be ok to let go. Prisons let sex offenders go a lot earlier and those idiots have a higher rate abusing again and of return to prison. Give the guy a break.
@ Samantha....He got a break-he wasn't executed.
So, Samantha, if he'd murdered 26 people, he should have been forgive because he was in his twenties? Are you KIDDING me? So, remember this, people in your twenties: Pull all your stupid crimes on Samantha, because she thinks it's okay and you aren't responsible for your actions. Kidnap and bury alive her whole family, because, hey, you didn't know any better. Your brain just isn't mature.
I didn't say they weren't responsible. Why don't you bozos actually read peoples' posts before responding. I said he has done his time and would probably be ok out in society.
So, the number of people involved doesn't matter? He committed TWENTY-SIX kidnappings. Someone who kills 26 people should never be treated differently (and worse) that someone who kills one? Timothy McVeigh was really no worse than a guy who pipe-bombs his landlord, and no one else? Due to his kidnapping that many people, he should not be getting out. Charles Manson isn't still in prison because he masterminded a murder, but several.
To Samantha- Maybe they will move him in your neighborhood, maybe next door in a half way house. You can make cookies for him.
wow tough crowd here tonight... anyone hear about the MORON that moved from a state prison to a city named MORRON BAY... its not more than 10 miles further NORTH on Highway 1, up the road from the CALIFORNIA MENS COLONY (known as a prison)... from San Luis Obispo. Blame this on Jerry Brown, he is a bleading heart knut case (he broke up with Linda Ronstant... why? she was nice looking, talented, and was a catch for Jerry Brown who wanted to be a better govenor that his daddy was. This man didnt kill anyone, but he tried by burrying them in the school bus, it was a fate that they all excaped. Not physically damaged, but mentally for many years. I dont care how long they were in prison, what would you have felt if they had done this to your kids or kids that you knew? The prison is marked by a stop light on Highway 1, the prison is on the right side heading north on Highway 1. There are signs saying "DO NOT PICK UP HITCH HIKERS"... Easy to get there, take 101 to San Luis Obispo, exit SANTA ROSA STREET, watch the directions to Highway 1.... I wish I could be there...
you know i have to agree here with some people that he should not have been put in prison but shot during the inccident however since its been so long and he is out on parole they are going to be watching him like a hawk and he is going to have very little i hope he got used to that in prison so he doesn't try some crazy stupid @!$%# again and hurt anyone.
Some things will never change. Better I suppose to release criminals that pose a real threat than to build new prisons, creating more jobs to help babysit the inmate. Do we really think he or other's like him are rehabilitated? Maybe some, but, most doubtful. And.....his finances are going to be better now after serving all this time behind prison walls? Beware parent's and children. He will now have the ability to roam freely. Being out on parole will not mean he is monitored. Their case loads are too heavy to ever have the ability to oversee them all that have been released. Who's next to get released? Anyone out there truly believe this man has been rehabilitated enough to join society? Doubtful and I wouldn't care to give him the chance to find out either. He should be serving life, even if at taxpayers expense.
Make some space by releasing people who are nonviolent and only in prison for using/selling a little Mother Nature like pot, has, and mushrooms. Don't say that we have to build new prisons to make space, just change prorities.
How would a freak capable of such atrocity ever be "suitable for parole"? I cannot imagine such a mind ever evolving to that of a functioning human being. I'm no fan of our prison system, mind you, but this is a clear-cut case of a man that needs to stay separated from society by any means.
I am totally disgusted with our ENTIRE SYSTEM PERIOD!! Nothing is right anymore!!( From the President on down to our local government officials nationwide,,,,THINGS NEED TO BE CHANGED!!! WTF..."certain illegals can get work papers" (OBAMA SAYS) Bull s__t!! OUR OWN PEOPLE NEED JOBS douche bag!
You don't see any difference between people who were dragged here by their parents when they were five with no choice on their part and don't even speak the language of, or really even remember, their "homeland", and clowns like this guy? Crime is crime and illegal is illegal, eh?
Yes, prisons are over crowded. Yes, we need to do something about this. No, releasing such criminals is not the answer. Why not start with every single person convicted of pot possession? A lot less harm there. Murderers, kidnappers, child molesters, rapists? Leave'em for their full sentence.
Another sociopath free to roam the streets of America!
Our idiot politicians send the military thousands of miles away to fight terrorism, but turn a blind eye to the dangerous criminals lose in America.
Is it any wonder firearm sales are high? The police are under no obligation to protect the citizens and our idiot politicians are more concerned about the rights of sociopaths. Is it any wonder the Funding Fathers wrote "The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."?
So, the parole board should be held responsible for the next crime he commits, and they should go to prison along with him.
That's a start holding someone responsible for this very poor decision. I'd say it rests in the hands of the parole board for a stupid decision made and the state for allowing it. Hmmm, who else is on the list for release?
That's a really stupid idea, because then no one with any sense would be willing to serve on the parole board at any price, all of the prisons would become overcrowded, and then some judge would just start releasing whoever regardless of what they did to get the populations down. Some people DO deserve parole, just not this guy, who did what he did, a remarkably horrible crime. And the people who violated their own rules, and who were incapable of calculating what he new release date, should be terminated since they failed to do their jobs properly in a very important case.
don't mess with him, california may get you 3 strikes and send you to prison for life, normally all it takes is someone stealing a candy bar to eat, because they can't get a job or survive any other way.....
Jesse, that's BS that liberal idiots have brainwashed you with. It has to be THREE FELONIES, you can't get it for a misdemeanor like shoplifting. Sheesh. Don't you idiots ever research what you're talking about, or you just so stupid you believe everything anyone says?
Ah, no.....the 3 strikes law is a joke with many loopholes. Good intentions behind it, but it rarely is upheld do to "other" circumstances often involved in the case....for instance....years before the next crime was committed after a 3rd.....a liberal judge.....
"Dead Man Walkin". I like that. Damn good one.
Here's something to chew on.
Martha Stewart got sentenced to 2 years and 5 months. 5 months on the inside, 2 years on the outside on parole. 5 of those months were under house arrest wearing an ankle monitor. And a $30,000 fine. Her crime? Lying to investigators about her sale of ImClone Systems stock.
Granted Stewart was in New York and this case is in California. But isn't there something wrong with this picture?
Martha Stewat's case was federal, this was state. And the feds put a high priority on "process" crimes like lying to them, cf. "Scooter" Libby, Oliver North, etc., so that people will be scared to death to tell them anything but the whole truth when they are brought in for questioning.
The solution to this nonsense is to make the people on the parole board personally liable for any adverse events caused by the criminals they decide to release or parole . . .
It is easy to make patently bad decisions when there are no consequence, so create some consequences, really . . .
Really! :-o
Yea, like anyone knows what a person is going to do after their release. Parole rules are in place and certain conditions must be met for parole. The parole board's authority is to determine if the conditions allowing parole have been met. In your scenario many deserving people would be denied based solely upon speculation or worse yet, a person's fear of retribution for releasing someone who then decided to go back to being a criminal.
@efff:
You wrote this:
And this is the reality, along with the fact that responsibility without accountability is meaningless, hence the reason for making the parole board members not only (a) responsible for their decisions but also (b) accountable for their decisions by making them personally liable for the consequences of their decisions . . .
The type of mutant animal who has no qualms or reservations about burying people alive is a psychopath; cannot be rehabilitated; and should be either (a) removed from the universe with extreme prejudice or (b) kept in prison until they die for the betterment and enlightenment of others . . .
Some crimes allow no compromise or graciousness in punishment(s), really . . .
Really! :-o
My guess is this POS is already talking to an attorney in preparation for his lawsuit against the state because they didn't parole him when they found him "suitable for parole". I guess this guy will get his millions afterall.>>>>>>>Now that is Phucked Up<<<<<<<<<<<.
To all you people criticizing the posters who say that he's done his time and should be paroled (according to the laws) your beef is not with them but rather the laws that dictate this type of situation. Perhaps if you spend your time writing letters to your representatives demanding harsher penalties, including capital punishment, instead of being on here criticizing people who say it is within the law, something might change.
Not in this liberal, Democratic state run by bleeding hearts.
I love how the internet gives people the guts pass judgement on someone they don't even know. The parole board saw nothing wrong in releasing him, but you all know better right? What if he doesn't turn to crime and tries to do good? Too busy imagining all the ways you want to kill the guy? Bunch of hypocrites. Some of you wanted to know whats wrong this country? Look in the mirror.
Gosh, I didn't know Hitler, and don't have to have, to know that what he stood for, and far more importantly what he did, was wrong. I don't have to know people to know whether or not if they kidnapped a school bus full of kids and buried them alive, that they are horrible, dangerous criminals who really shouldn't be released back into society. If you can't see that, maybe you are part of society's problem.
Absolutely RLQUALL! Anybody who commits an act as henious as this man did to those children needs to be napalmed with the quickness! And to give him a second chance???....this is an abomination to our society as a whole...damn, I hate these bleeding hearts!!! I wonder if ALIENGMAR would say that if one of his kids were on that bus!!! HAH!
Why on earth would this man ever be eligible for parole? I simply don't understand. Thankfully, all of his victims escaped...but the intent was there...had they not been able to escape, they would have all died on that bus, whether he got the ransom money or not. Let's hope that some street justice is doled out when he's released and that the perpetrators are never caught.