Norwalk Family Urging Parole Board Not To Release Convicted Child Killer
NORWALK (CBSLA.com) — A Norwalk family is pleading with the California Department of Correction's parole board not to release the man convicted of killing their 3-year-old daughter more than two decades ago.
Chuck Johnson is up for parole in November after serving 23 years of his 25-years-to-life sentence.
He was convicted of killing Brittany Lynn Rethorn-Riggs on Oct. 10, 1993.
Johnson was renting a room in the Montclair house of the girl's parents at the time.
Brittany's parents said they woke up to a loud sound and couldn't find their daughter. Later, police found her strangled and suffocated in his closet.
Brittany's mother, Jennifer Lundy, said there should be no freedom for the man who murdered her daughter and won't rest until Johnson's parole is denied.
"It's scarier this time. The first hearing, I was numb," Lundy said. "He could have stopped. He could have got help. He could have done whatever. I don't know. But I know it took two and a half, three minutes of intentionally in his hands. He took her life."
For Johnson to get a parole recommendation, he has to prove he is no longer a danger to society.
Lundy said she has no doubt he still is. "I am afraid that he's going to come back for me, my family."
Johnson sent a couple of letters to the victim's family from prison. One of the letters read: "Receiving a letter like this can never be easy."
He apologized for killing Brittany and said he never intended to kill her, but did not mention his motive.
Lundy said she does not believe anything Johnson said.