Parole Decision Upheld In Case Of '85 Teacher, Student Slayings
PASADENA (AP) — A state appeals court has upheld a decision by California Gov. Jerry Brown to deny parole to a man convicted in the 1985 slayings of a Pasadena high school teacher and student.
The 2nd District Court of Appeal said Thursday Brown did not improperly rely on new evidence in 2013 when he overruled a decision by parole officials to grant Robert Butler parole. Butler was convicted of first-degree murder in the killings of 47-year-old Robert Jones — his former high school teacher — and 17-year-old Ronald McLendon.
The court also said there was evidence to support the governor's decision.
Brown said he found Butler's explanation for shooting Jones incomprehensible. Butler said he felt deceived and rejected by Jones after the high school coach had become a parental figure.
Another attorney said Butler's attorney, Michael Satris, was away and not available to comment on the decision.
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