Amador County - John Linley Frazier, a mass murderer sentenced to death and imprisoned at Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, is up for parole against the protests of lawyers and those affected by his crimes. While working as an auto mechanic in October 1970, Frazier murdered Santa Cruz eye surgeon Victor Ohta, along with Ohta’s wife, two teenage sons and secretary. The victims were left floating in the Ohtas' pool. “It is difficult to comprehend that a man who murdered five innocent people in cold blood would ever be considered for release back into society,” wrote prosecutor Adriane Symons in a letter to the state Board of Prison Terms in anticipation of Wednesday's parole hearing. Officials are preparing for possible protests at the courthouse and outside the gates of Mule Creek prison. Frazier was convicted by a San Mateo County jury and sentenced to death, but was commuted to life in prison with the possibility of parole after capital punishment was ruled unconstitutional in 1975. Frazier has repeatedly tried for parole and failed in the years since. The Ohta family was bound and killed execution style for what Frazier eventually called, “vengeance on those who rape the environment.” Frazier told a psychiatrist that “voices from God” had told him to declare “World War 3”, but was considered sane to stand trial. Frazier singled out the Ohta’s because they had cut down trees on their property to build their uniquely designed house. Frazier, now 62, has refused all mental health services offered in prison, according to a 2003. Also, he has been stabbed by other inmates, caught with prison-made knives and been held in a secured housing unit for inmates who violate prison rules. In the words of Symons, “I can't imagine that there would be a combination of factors that would allow this man to get out.” Story by Alex Lane (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
Tuesday, 18 November 2008 00:21
Mass Murderer's Parole Hearing May Prompt Protests
Amador County - John Linley Frazier, a mass murderer sentenced to death and imprisoned at Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, is up for parole against the protests of lawyers and those affected by his crimes. While working as an auto mechanic in October 1970, Frazier murdered Santa Cruz eye surgeon Victor Ohta, along with Ohta’s wife, two teenage sons and secretary. The victims were left floating in the Ohtas' pool. “It is difficult to comprehend that a man who murdered five innocent people in cold blood would ever be considered for release back into society,” wrote prosecutor Adriane Symons in a letter to the state Board of Prison Terms in anticipation of Wednesday's parole hearing. Officials are preparing for possible protests at the courthouse and outside the gates of Mule Creek prison. Frazier was convicted by a San Mateo County jury and sentenced to death, but was commuted to life in prison with the possibility of parole after capital punishment was ruled unconstitutional in 1975. Frazier has repeatedly tried for parole and failed in the years since. The Ohta family was bound and killed execution style for what Frazier eventually called, “vengeance on those who rape the environment.” Frazier told a psychiatrist that “voices from God” had told him to declare “World War 3”, but was considered sane to stand trial. Frazier singled out the Ohta’s because they had cut down trees on their property to build their uniquely designed house. Frazier, now 62, has refused all mental health services offered in prison, according to a 2003. Also, he has been stabbed by other inmates, caught with prison-made knives and been held in a secured housing unit for inmates who violate prison rules. In the words of Symons, “I can't imagine that there would be a combination of factors that would allow this man to get out.” Story by Alex Lane (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
