Convicted rapist Randal Gers, 60, was denied parole by the Board of Parole Hearings, despite qualifying for a parole review under California's new law that allows inmates who are 50 years or older with at least 20 years of continuous incarceration to be considered for release, according to the San Diego County District Attorney's Office.
Randal Gers, who was originally sentenced to 567 years-to-life for kidnapping and raping two women in separate incidents in 1995, was set for a parole hearing in a prior year, but this date shifted due to the alteration of the California Elderly Parole Program in 2021.. The victims, who had been kidnapped at knifepoint, tied up, and repeatedly sexually assaulted, were given a powerful platform at the parole hearing where they recounted their harrowing experiences and expressed immense relief upon the denial of Gers' parole request.
However, this case brings to light the potential implications and controversies surrounding the recent legislative amendments and sparks debate on whether such heinous criminals should even be granted a chance to argue for their release, especially when it comes at the cost of re-traumatizing their victims, who must face their tormentor and relive their anguish in order to present their case against the predator's release, which raises significant moral and ethical questions surrounding the current law.
The San Diego County District Attorney's Office explains how the District Attorney’s Lifer Hearing Unit, led by Deputy District Attorney John Cross, worked tirelessly to oppose Gers' release, highlighting the violent nature of his crimes and lack of remorse or personal development during his incarceration, which ultimately led to the denial of his parole with a possibility to apply again in five years.
San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan expressed her concerns on the matter, stating, “It is hard to believe that a sexual predator with multiple victims is eligible for release under this new law, causing additional trauma to victims who had to overcome the damage of the violent crimes they endured and thought their tormenter had received a final justice and sentence.”
