SAN DIEGO — A state parole board policy that barred the submission of crime scene and autopsy photographs at parole hearings has been overturned following a petition submitted by the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, it was announced today.
The California Office of Administrative Law, which reviews and approves regulation changes proposed by state agencies, granted the D.A.’s Office’s request and ruled that the California Board of Parole Hearings must halt the policy.
Board of Parole Hearing officials did not immediately respond for comment on the decision.
Previously, “graphic” photographs were not permitted, while prosecutors argued the photo submissions offered important context for parole board commissioners.
The D.A.’s Office petition cited some specific San Diego County murder cases, including the 1983 shooting death of a San Diego police officer and the 1983 Oceanside killing of a 2-year-old boy. Both men were denied parole.
Prosecutors argued the inclusion of autopsy photographs of the victims helped parole board commissioners determine whether the defendants had been truthful and whether they had developed insight into their crimes during their prison terms.
In a statement, San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan called the decision “a huge win for justice, transparency, and for every crime victim and family who deserves to have their voices heard and the full truth of a crime considered in parole decisions. The board’s attempt to erase the harsh realities of violent crimes from parole hearings was not only improper — it was a disservice to public safety and victims’ rights. …This decision ensures that parole boards must base their decisions on the full record — not a sanitized version of events.”
