BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — A 67-year-old convicted attempted murderer was granted parole by the California Board of Parole Hearings (BPH) on March 10, announced the Kern County District Attorney’s Office.
Thomas Faulkner was found to no longer pose a current and unreasonable risk to public safety, mostly due to his serious health conditions.
His case dates back to 2012, when Faulkner was serving a sentence in a Kern County prison for convictions in Santa Clara and Los Angeles Counties. One of his sentences included an assault on a first responder in Santa Clara.
On March 13, 2012, correctional officers heard an inmate yell “help”. When officers arrived at the cell, Faulkner and his cellmate were fighting. An investigation revealed that Faulkner came up behind his cellmate and began strangling him with a sheet, said the DA. The inmate sustained abrasions, bruising, redness, and swelling to his neck and head area, according to prosecutors.
On Sept. 26, 2012, Faulker was convicted of attempted premeditated murder and assault with a deadly weapon by a prisoner. Faulkner was also found guilty of attempted murder. It was found true that Faulkner personally caused great bodily injury to the victim and personally used a deadly or dangerous weapon.
Faulkner was sentenced to 25 years to life, plus six years in Oct. 2012.
Due to changes to California Law in 2023, Faulkner was resentenced to serve 25 years to life in the Kern County case.
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) said Faulkner was eligible for parole in 2037. However, Faulker is eligible for early release under California Elder Parole Laws. After an inmate reaches age 50 and has served 20 consecutive years, they are eligible for parole.
Faulker, 67, has served around 27 years of time.
On March 10, BPH commissioners focused on Faulkner’s serious health conditions, lack of insight into his criminal history, and poor institutional behavior. The DA asked the BPH to deny Faulkner’s release on parole.
Ultimately, the BPH found that Faulkner was suitable for parole and no longer posed a current unreasonable risk of danger to society, primarily based upon his serious health conditions.
Faulkner will remain in prison until the review process is finished.
“The Board of Parole disregarded Faulkner’s criminal history and mindset, choosing instead to focus on his health condition. While an individual’s health is undeniably important, it does not warrant the premature release of an inmate when doing so compromises public safety,” stated Kern County Assistant DA Joseph Kinzel.