Victims' families sue California over parole rule that could free serial killers

A coalition of murder victims' families, including Sharon Rocha, mother of Laci Peterson, have joined the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation in suing California over a parole board rule that would open a pathway for inmates serving life without parole to receive resentencing or clemency recommendations. The regulation, approved by the Office of Administrative Law on July 9, expands the board’s authority to review cases involving serial killers, mass shooters and other "worst-of-the-worst" offenders such as Scott Peterson, David Hill and Darryl Lamar Collins.

Plaintiffs contend the board lacks statutory power and that the rule contravenes Marsy’s Law, which protects the finality of victims’ judgments and would force families to relive trauma. The petition, filed in Sacramento Superior Court on July 15, aims to halt the policy before its October rollout. The parole board argues existing penal code sections permit its actions, while critics say the board is effectively rewriting sentencing laws passed by ballot initiatives. Neither the board nor the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has responded to comment requests.