The last of three men convicted of hijacking a school bus full of children and holding them and their driver for $5-million ransom in 1976 was recommended for parole on Friday with the support of two of the victims.
The governor’s late father, state Judge William Newsom, was on an appellate panel in 1980 that reduced the three kidnappers’ life sentences to give them a chance at parole. Once retired, William Newsom advocated for their release in 2011, noting that no one was seriously physically injured during the kidnapping.Woods’ accomplices, brothers Richard and James Schoenfeld, already were freed. An appeals court ordered Richard released in 2012 and then-Gov. Jerry Brown paroled James in 2015.
“I was 24 years old,” he added. “Now I fully understand the terror and trauma I caused. I fully take responsibility for this heinous act.” Woods and the Schoenfelds planned their crime for more than a year. They wanted to get $5 million ransom from the state Board of Education. “I believe you have served enough time for the crime you committed,” said survivor Larry Park, who supported Woods’ release along with Rebecca Reynolds Dailey. But Park added that “I’m concerned about the addiction you may have about money,” urging Woods to consider getting treatment.
Matthew Medrano, son of Jodi Heffington Medrano, sobbed several times as he recounted watching his mother change from being a loving, outgoing survivor until she experienced darker, bitter thoughts and depression before her early death.
KarenKilgariff
That was pure evil.
NO.
Judge William Newsom (Gavin Newsom's father and administrator of the Getty Oil Trust) overturned the original sentence of LWOP and made the Chowchilla kidnappers eligible for parole. Newsom later advocated for their release.
No way. That’s insane.
I read the report, this is absolutely wrong decision, must die in detention, not one word favors them
Rate my photos) Kathlee24270881
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