Gov. Jerry Brown reversed a parole board and denied on Friday the release of a former Charles Manson follower who served more than 43 years in prison. It was the third time a California governor denied the release of Bruce Davis, 71, a member of the murderous Manson Family who was convicted in the 1969 slayings of musician Gary Hinman and stuntman Donald "Shorty" Shea.
In March, the parole board once again found that he was suitable for parole based on his age, conduct in prison — he became a born-again Christian in prison, earned a doctoral degree in philosophy of religion, ministers to other inmates — and other factors. Brown lauded Davis for his efforts to improve himself. However, he wrote in his five-page decision that the evidence shows Davis "currently poses an unreasonable danger to society if released from prison." Davis' attorney, Michael Beckman, called the governor's decision "horrible" and vowed to keep fighting until Davis is released from prison.