Santa Rosa, CA – August 30, 2018 – California
Department of Corrections inmate Luis Alberto Santana was denied parole after
the conclusion of a parole suitability hearing at California Health Care
Facility, Stockton on August 28, 2018. The Parole Board found Santana presented
an unreasonable risk of danger if released back into the community. The denial
was for 5 years.
In 2004, Inmate
Santana was convicted of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon,
intimidating a witness, and burglary. Santana also admitted the crimes were for
the benefit of a criminal street gang and that he inflicted great bodily injury
during the commission of the crimes. Santana was sentenced to 26 years in
prison.
With the recent
enactment of Youthful Offender Parole consideration, he was eligible for a
parole hearing after having served only 15 years of his sentence.
The charges
stem from a 2002 gang assault during which Santana, and a dozen other Sureno
gang members, brutally assaulted two men at a gas station in Santa Rosa. The
brazen midday attack resulted in serious injury to both victims. The victims
were rushed to a local hospital for treatment of their multiple stab wounds and
blunt force injuries.
District
Attorney Ravitch stated, “We support the decision by the Parole Board finding
Santana unsuitable for parole at this time. We believe he continues to present
a danger if released back into the community. In particular, Santana’s lack of
insight into the factors which led to his crimes, and his inability to remain
discipline free while incarcerated, support the conclusion Santana should
remain incarcerated.”
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