Civil Rights Clinic Challenge Covered in Contra Costa Times
A federal court challenge filed by the UC Davis School of Law Civil Rights Clinic figured prominently in an article in the Contra Costa Times on the parole of 74-year-old Frankie Williams, who has served 27 years for the murder of Eli Thornton. The article explains how Williams, who was recommended for parole and awaiting the governor's approval, might have to wait 15 years for another hearing under the terms of Marsy's Law, which the clinic has challenged.
Passed by voters in 2008, Marsy's Law expanded the rights of crime victims, restricted the early release of inmates, and changed procedures for granting parole by stretching out the default rollover period between parole hearings so that rather than every one to three years, inmates would have access to a hearing every three to 15 years. The Civil Rights Clinic and Federal Public Defender's Office have challenged Marsy's Law in federal court on the grounds that the 15-year denial of parole hearings violates the U.S. Constitution. The challenges are pending.