(KMJ) – Parole is again denied for a 68-year-old man — convicted in a murder almost 50 years ago.
Rodolfo Garza is currently incarcerated at the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison in Corcoran.
On July 22, 1979, Garza, his brother, and two other men drove a fifth man to a rural area in Tulare County, they robbed him and beat him to death.
Leaving his body in an orchard, the four men returned to the bar where the victim had parked his car, they kidnapped two other men, beating and robbing them as well.
Then they drove the stolen car it into the country, and set it on fire.
That same year, Garza pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.
While incarcerated, Garza has received numerous disciplinary write-ups and rules infractions.
On Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2025, via video conference, TCDA prosecutors secured a 3-year denial of parole.
This was Garza’s 8th parole suitability hearing. At this hearing, commissioners noted that, in addition to disciplinary actions, Garza has not adequately participated in education and programming and did not possess suitable post-release plans.
Listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern.
