Convict Who Inspired CA's 3 Strikes Law Released
FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — A man whose long rap sheet inspired California's three strikes law is back living in Fresno after being released under the state's prison realignment law.
Douglas Walker is out on post-release community supervision, and not subject to the strict supervision of parole because his last crime was non-violent, KFSN-TV reported Friday.
His role in the 1992 fatal shooting of Kimber Reynolds led her father to campaign for the three strikes law, which mandates that thrice-convicted felons receive a minimum of 25 years to life in prison.
He received a nine-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to robbery, attempted robbery and accessory charges in Reynold's killing, but after being released Walker acquired two more felony convictions, according to the threestrikes.org website.
He was most recently convicted of grand theft for stealing a tool chest, but avoided receiving a third strike in that case because a judge gave him the benefit of the doubt.
Because that crime was not violent, he was released under the prison realignment law that is sending lower-level offenders to county jails instead of state prisons.
The author of the three strikes law said he believed Walker will commit another crime.
"I hope that for not only his sake but more importantly the rest of our sake that he stops doing crime, but if you want to ask me what the odds are, unfortunately I would suggest he's a creature of habit and his habits are bad," Mike Reynolds said.
Walker declined to talk to the TV station, but his sister said he was "trying to live his life the best that he can."
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