For the 15th time, the State Board of Parole has refused to grant freedom to a Modesto man convicted of murder, reaffirming the notion that some wounds time just can't heal. George Ruiz Palomar Jr., now 66, remains behind bars after the recent parole hearing at California State Prison, Sacramento. He is serving a life term for the 1981 murder of David Perez and the attempted murder of Michael Rosales, according to a public statement by the Stanislaus County District Attorney's Office.
During this latest hearing, Palomar continued to blame his victims and downplay his part in the violent events of New Year's Day back in 1981—events that started with an argument with his girlfriend at a party and ended in gunfire. After being made to leave, Palomar fatally shot Perez four times and wounded Rosales, who survived. Throughout his incarceration, Palomar has seemed to effectively choose his prison cell over possible freedom, repeatedly breaking prison rules and failing to follow the Parole Board's guidance on what needed to be done to potentially be paroled, as detailed in the announcement by the Stanislaus County District Attorney.
Prosecutor Neumann cast Palomar as someone who has failed to internalize programming or understand his history of domestic violence. Neumann argued during the hearing for Palomar's continued confinement, pointing out Palomar's disregard for the prison's rehabilitation efforts. "Palomar has ignored the Board’s instruction and insisted in recent court filings that his continued incarceration is the fault of the prison," the Stanislaus County District Attorney states. Incidents over the years, including attempts to defraud the state and threatening behavior toward female custodial staff, have painted a troubling portrait of the inmate.
Expressing a need for accountability and sustained public safety, the Parole Board firmly denied Palomar's release for another three years. In the emotional climax of the hearing, a family member of the victim provided an impact statement, pleading with the Board to continue to withhold parole. The determination was that Palomar still posed "an unreasonable risk to public safety." The official statement from the Stanislaus County District Attorney reiterated this after considering the gravity of Palomar's history and actions in prison.
