And the Bishop of the Diocese of California is pissed about it:
From today's San Francisco Chronicle:
Bishop rips governor over parole reversal
Murderer has been ordained as an Episcopal deacon
John Wildermuth, Chronicle Political Writer
Convicted murderer James Tramel's ordination as an Episcopal deacon wasn't enough to persuade Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to approve his release on parole last week, prompting a fiery Easter sermon from Episcopal Bishop William Swing.
More below the fold...
"Governors of California are good at executions,'' Swing told the 11 a.m. service at San Francisco's Grace Cathedral. "Governors of California are 90- pound moral weaklings when it comes to restoration of human beings.''
Although the state Board of Prison Terms approved Tramel's parole in October, the governor reversed the recommendation Friday, arguing that Tramel's release from state prison in Solano County "would pose an unreasonable risk of danger to society at this time.''
[Link to RealAudio of Bishop Swing's Easter sermon here.]
Tramel was 17 when he and a bunch of friends went out and stabbed a homeless man; though another person actually did the stabbing, Tramel was convicted of conspiracy. He has confessed his participation, and expressed remorse for his actions.
According to the article, Tramel actually had more going for him than the average parolee; he already had the promise of housing and a job awaiting him, and Bishop Swing hoped to ordain him to the priesthood in June.
Then again, his record in prison is a bit spotty; he's been involved in some fights (but none since 1999), and some other minor rule violations that weren't specified. It's the prison record that Schwarzenegger cited in his denial of parole.
I'm not completely into all the details of the case, though I remember a sermon about Tramel by a guest preacher a year or two ago. Swing plans to mobilize Episcopalians and other faith groups into pressuring Schwartenegger into changing his mind when Tramel comes up for parole again next year. If there is interest, I'll post a follow-up diary when I hear details.
But you've got to admit, "90-pound moral weakling" has a nice ring to it... :)