On paroles, Newsom has himself to blame

Gavin Newsom Faces Backlash Over Release of Serial Child Rapist

Gavin Newsom is facing backlash after the California Parole Board ordered the release of serial child rapist David Allen Funston. Funston, who was serving three life terms for kidnapping and molesting more than a dozen children, was described by the judge in the case as “the monster parents fear the most.”

According to reports, Funston used toys and candy to lure small children into his car in the Sacramento area before beating and raping them. The decision to release him sparked outrage from law enforcement, prosecutors, and the public.

Newsom, however, attempted to deflect blame by stating that the Board of Parole Hearings is an independent agency and that he has no authority to reverse their decision. Former Sacramento District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert, who prosecuted Funston, called Newsom out for signing a law in 2020 that lowered the age of parole eligibility from 60 to 50 years old, allowing for the possibility of early release for violent offenders like Funston.

The law was introduced by Democrat Phil Ting of San Francisco during a time of criminal justice reform, influenced by the Black Lives Matter movement. Despite efforts by Republicans to amend the law to exclude violent sex offenders, Democrats blocked the changes, citing concerns about the cost of keeping criminals in prison for their full sentences.

The imminent release of Funston has been widely criticized as a disgrace, with Newsom and his party bearing the blame. Critics argue that the decision highlights a flawed system that prioritizes cost-saving measures over public safety.

As the controversy unfolds, Democratic presidential primary voters are urged to pay attention to Newsom’s handling of the situation and the broader implications of criminal justice reform policies.