The California Board of Parole Hearings (BPH) granted release to convicted attempted murderer Thomas Faulkner despite the DA’s Office concerns for public safety.
Representing the DA’s Office and requesting a parole denial was Deputy DA Gina Nargie.
On March 13, 2012, Faulkner was serving time in a Kern County prison for criminal convictions in Santa Clara and Los Angeles Counties. One of his prison sentences included an assault upon a first responder At approximately 3:15pm, correctional officers heard an inmate yell “help”. When officers arrived at the cell, Faulkner and his cellmate were fighting. The investigation revealed that Faulkner came up behind his cellmate and began strangling him with a sheet. As a result, he sustained abrasions, bruising, redness, and swelling to his neck and head area.
On September 26, 2012, a Kern County Jury found Faulkner guilty of attempted premeditated murder and assault with a deadly weapon by a prisoner. He was sentenced to 25 years to life, plus six years. However, after in changes in CA law in 2023, Faulkner was resentenced to serve 25 years to life on the Kern County case.
CDCR calculated Faulker’s minimum eligible parole date in 2037, but pursuant to California Elder Parole Laws, Faulker is eligible for early release considerations. In California, incarcerated persons are eligible for the Elderly Parole Program after reaching age 50 and being continuously incarcerated for 20 years. Faulkner is currently 67 years old and has served approximately 27 years on his sentences.
Last week, the BPH conducted Faulkner’s initial parole hearing. Faulkner’s commissioners focused on his serious health conditions, lack of insight into his criminal history, and poor institutional behavior. Ultimately, the BPH found that Faulkner was suitable for parole. Faulkner will remain in prison until the review process is complete.
Assistant DA Joseph Kinzel commented; “The Board of Parole disregarded Faulkner’s criminal history and mindset, choosing instead to focus on his health condition. While an individual’s health is undeniably important, it does not warrant the premature release of an inmate when doing so compromises public safety.”