California Republicans want Gov. Gavin Newsom to be given a clean house after the parole board approved the release of child rapist David Allen Funston – criticizing the governor for saying his “hands are tied.”
Suzette Martinez Valladares (R-Santa Clarita) and other members of the Senate GOP caucus fired a letter to Newsom on Wednesday urging him to take action to remove and replace members of the California Board of Parole Hearings, who voted last week to approve Funston’s release.
“Hearing the news of Funston’s parole made me sick to my stomach,” Valladares said in a statement. “It made me sick to think about the pain and suffering he caused his victims, who were very young children, and I am sick to think how a monster like this can be pardoned.”
Funston, 64, was convicted in 1999 of 16 counts of kidnapping and child molestation involving many minors. Living in a suburb of Sacramento, Funston reportedly kidnapped and molested at least eight children — seven girls and one boy — luring them with Barbie dolls and candy.
Another victim, a 5-year-old immigrant girl who spoke limited English, was beaten and abandoned 50 kilometers from her home in a rural district.
Funston was granted parole under the California Elderly Parole program, which was extended to 2020 by AB 3234 and signed into law by Newsom. Although he received three life sentences, Funston will walk free thanks to a program that allows inmates over 50 who have served 20 years to apply for parole.
Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper, a former member of the state Legislature, announced the parole board’s decision at a press conference Monday.
“It’s surprising that people who say they want to protect women and children and put their interests first are not doing anything bad,” said Cooper. “What he did to these children cannot be undone – ever. It’s WRONG.”
The governor’s office did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment on any actions he intends to take. Newsom said state law limits his ability to overturn parole board decisions.
“The Bureau of Parole Hearings is an independent agency and makes this decision,” Diana Crofts-Pelayo, a spokeswoman for the governor, told the Sacramento Bee. “The governor does not agree with the result.”
Republicans aren’t buying it.
In their February 26 letter to the governor, the Republican state senators called the decision “unconscionable” and warned that Funston “can still harm children.”
Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones (R-San Diego) accused the governor of trying to evade responsibility.
“He signed a bill that gave a board of appointees the power to release a violent, serial child rapist into society,” Jones said, adding that he has twice introduced legislation to change parole and prevent abusers like Funston from being released. Democrats killed both efforts.
“Spare us the fake anger, sir,” said Jone. “He created this whole program.”
