Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_08-cv-02483/USCOURTS-cand-3_08-cv-02483-0/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Ben Curry
Respondent
Jose Ruvalcaba
Petitioner

Document Text:

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JOSE RUVALCABA,

Petitioner,

 vs.

BEN CURRY, Warden,

Respondent. 

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

No. C 08-2483 CRB (PR)

ORDER GRANTING

PETITION FOR WRIT OF

HABEAS CORPUS

Petitioner, a state prisoner incarcerated at the Correctional Training

Facility in Soledad, California, has filed a pro se Petition for a Writ of Habeas

corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2254 challenging the California Board of Parole

Hearings’ (“BPH”) May 9, 2007 decision to deny him parole on the ground that

the decision does not comport with due process. Doc. #1. Per order filed on July

22, 2008, the Court found that the Petition, when liberally construed, appeared to

state a cognizable claim under 28 U.S.C. § 2254 and ordered Respondent to show

cause why a writ of habeas corpus should not be granted. Doc. #5. Respondent

has filed and Answer and Petitioner has filed a Traverse. Doc. ## 6 & 7. 

//

//

Case 3:08-cv-02483-CRB Document 9 Filed 04/12/10 Page 1 of 18
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 2

BACKGROUND

A. The Commitment Offense

On May 5, 1990, Petitioner was convicted of attempted murder in Contra

Costa County Superior Court and sentenced to an indeterminate term of sevenyears-to-life in state prison. At his May 9, 2007 parole suitability hearing, BPH

read the following summary of Petitioner’s commitment offense, as derived from

the first two pages of a November 2005 counselor’s report.

In Spring of 1990, . . . [Petitioner] and victim June

Hidalgo began a roman[tic] relationship. During the

following two or three months, the two spent a great

deal of time together, evenings and weekends.

During this time, the two became intimate

physically and in late April, [Petitioner] asked the

victim to marry him. Approximately two weeks later,

the victim told [Petitioner] that she no longer wanted

to go out with him. [Petitioner] became extremely

upset, crying, locking himself in his bedroom all

night. 

The following day, May 4th , 1990,

[Petitioner] came out of his room to help his brother

with a stalled vehicle. This was when [Petitioner]

acquired the handgun used in the attempted homicide,

locating the gun in his uncle’s toolbox. 

After starting and stalling the vehicle,

[Petitioner] set out to the victim’s home to contact the

victim’s grandmother. He then went to a mutual

friend’s home, Corey, who stated that he and . . .

other friends at the apartment were waiting for [the

victim] to arrive. 

While there, the victim called and after

speaking to her friends, [Petitioner] got on the

telephone and asked her why she was breaking up

with him. The victim told him that she no longer

wanted to speak with him and hung up on him. 

[Petitioner] began crying and told his friends

“I’m going to get that bitch” and “Nice knowing you

guys.” He then followed Stacey Cushman, one of

their mutual friends from the apartment, to Mount

Diablo High School tennis courts, . . . where she and

[the victim] had earlier agreed to meet. 

Case 3:08-cv-02483-CRB Document 9 Filed 04/12/10 Page 2 of 18
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 3

Upon arrival of the victim at the parking lot of

the high school on a motorcycle driven by Ron

Adams, [Petitioner] drove up in his car, exited the

vehicle with the gun in his hand, and the victim cried

out, “Jose, no” . . . and bent down, cowering and . . .

putting . . . her hands protectively over her head. 

[Petitioner] pulled the trigger, but no bullet

came out. Then he fired three more times, hitting the

victim through her hands, entering the rear of her

head. She collapsed and [Petitioner] then shot

himself in the head as well. 

Both were transported to John Muir Trauma

Center. The victim was in a coma for [ten] days,

remained hospitalized for two months. As a result of

the bullet wound to her head, June Hidalgo sustained

permanent serious visual impairment. She has no

direct vision and . . . can no longer see shapes in

detail, nor can she read. 

[Petitioner] sustained a head wound that

affected his speech, necessitating extensive speech

therapy. [Petitioner] was subsequently convicted by a

jury for attempted murder on 11/25/91.

Doc. #6-1 at 52-54. 

B. The May 9, 2007 Parole Suitability Hearing and Petitioner’s State Court

Challenge to BPH’s Decision to Deny Him Parole

On May 9, 2007, Petitioner appeared before BPH for his fifth parole

suitability hearing. Doc. #6-1 at 70. At that hearing, BPH again found Petitioner

was not suitable for parole and would pose an unreasonable risk to society or

threat to public safety if released from prison. Doc. #6-2 at 60-61. In denying

Petitioner parole, BPH relied on the circumstances of the commitment offense,

which it noted “was carried out in an especially cruel manner” and

“demonstrate[d] disregard for human suffering.” Id. at 61-62. BPH also cited the

district attorney’s opposition to Petitioner’s release, as well as concern over what

it termed a “little gap” in Petitioner’s “understanding of the critical elements that

led to the life crime.” Id. at 66, 68 & 70. Petitioner’s minimum eligible parole

date was October 30, 1998. Doc. #6-1 at 3 & 32. 

Case 3:08-cv-02483-CRB Document 9 Filed 04/12/10 Page 3 of 18
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 4

After BPH recited the facts of Petitioner’s commitment offense, he was

asked to explain his actions. Petitioner stated:

Well, first of all, sir, I’m so ashamed of what I

did back in those days, you know. I know that now

the way I feel about life is just [no] way to think

about the pain. I know I remember back in those

days, back in that moment I had so many problems in

my house and I was getting legalized and all those

things ha[d] got into my mind and at that moment, I

didn’t care for life and she got me upset and problems

that were in my house. All those things made me lose

my head. 

I know I can’t believe I did it, you know? It’s

so hard for me to even think that I’d go and hurt a

person at that time . . . I was still solely immature. 

Now that I’m totally mature, I think – Now I think

that, God, it was so – it was just – Think about it, it

just makes me drop down and get – 

I know she doesn’t deserve no [sic] pain of

any kind, . . . it’s just so difficult for me to even

express myself in front of you, sir, and to a whole

community, to a whole world. 

Doc. #6-1 at 54-55. 

In announcing its decision denying Petitioner parole, BPH acknowledged

Petitioner’s remorse, noting:

[W]e believe there’s no question in our mind that you

feel horribly sorry for the events that occurred, . . .

you’ve come to grips with this horrible crime . . . that

you did. That’s at least something in terms of you. 

Your family has suffered . . . and her family

has certainly suffered. Your friends that were

surrounding this have all suffered and I think you

have a wonderful grasp on all that. 

Doc. #6-2 at 60. Later in the decision, BPH repeated, “[t]here’s no question that

you’ve come to grips with the crime.” Immediately following this statement,

however, BPH noted:

There is a little gap there what we would like you to

work on for this next year that we believe is

Case 3:08-cv-02483-CRB Document 9 Filed 04/12/10 Page 4 of 18
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 5

something . . . it would do you well and make us, the

Parole Board, feel a little better about your ability to

handle future situations that may come up, whether

they be romantically based or . . . something based at

work. 

We want to feel absolutely sure that you’re

going to handle these things in an adult, mature way

and . . . while we recognize you said over and over

and over it would never happen again, I’m sure prior

to this you never thought this would happen. So we

want to make absolutely sure that you’re going to . . .

have all the tools at your disposal to get through some

other circumstances . . . that I will guarantee you

inevitably will happen in your life, that will not be

comfortable and be difficult to deal with for anybody. 

Id. at 68-69. 

BPH acknowledged the “extensive amount of work with regard to

[Petitioner’s] parole plans” noting he had two “well sought after vocations” and

that his employment plans “seem to be viable.” Doc. #6-2 at 67. During the

evidentiary portion of the hearing, BPH noted the numerous letters of support

Petitioner received from family members and friends, which offered Petitioner

employment, financial support and a place to live. See Doc. #6-2 at 15-25. 

In terms of his behavior prior to the commitment offense, BPH noted that

Petitioner had “virtually no criminal record. . . . no juvenile record, nor adult

record. So there is no escalation of any pattern. This seemed to be some form of

isolated event . . . .” Doc. #6-2 at 64. Regarding his behavior in prison, BPH

noted that Petitioner had “done well while in prison” and that he had accrued

only one serious rules violation eleven years prior. Id. at 65. BPH later learned

that this was due to Petitioner’s participation in a prison work stoppage. Id. at 80. 

Finally, during the evidentiary portion of the hearing, BPH cited

extensively to Petitioner’s most recent psychological evaluation. See Doc. #6-1

at 81-83; Doc. #6-2 at 2-4. That evaluation, in relevant part, noted:

[Petitioner] related during the interview in an open

sincere and earnest manner. His mental status was

Case 3:08-cv-02483-CRB Document 9 Filed 04/12/10 Page 5 of 18
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 6

within normal limits. He was alert and well oriented. 

His thinking was rational, logical and coherent. His

speech was normal, fluent and goal oriented. English

is his second language. However, he communicates

quite well in English. He actually has achieved his

GED, which is remarkable. He stated that sometimes

under stress he has difficulty expressing himself in

English. Sometimes in the BPH hearing this occurs

to him. However, under normal conditions, he

communicates very well. His eye contact was good. 

His affect was appropriate. There was no evidence of

anxiety or of depression. His memory was intact. 

His judgment was good. His insight and selfawareness were excellent. 

This man has no alcohol or drug issues at all. 

This is not an issue in this case. 

Before coming to prison, he was experienced

as an automobile mechanic. He has participated for

three years at [Deuel Vocational Institution] in auto

mechanics, earning a certificate of completion. In

addition, he has spent three years working in

autobody. He has excellent skills in this field. He

has job offers in Mexico, where he plans to go as a

mechanic. 

See Doc. #1-2 at 25. The psychologist further observed Petitioner as having no

mental disorder and no personality disorder. Id. 

In reviewing Petitioner’s life crime, the psychologist noted: 

[Petitioner] accepts full responsibility for the

commitment offense. He accepts the written version

of the commitment offense. He has reviewed this

offense at length with Dr. Sexton in the 10/11/04

report. In addition, he has also reviewed the

dynamics associated with this offense with this

writer. Since this information has been reviewed at

length, it will only be summarized at this point. At

the time [of the commitment offense, Petitioner] was

under a great deal of emotional stress. Family

dynamics outlined in the previous report resulted in

his desire to support his family, but at the same time

to leave his family and become independent. At the

time, the family dynamics were overwhelming to

him, and he felt quite trapped. He had put all of his

hopes, dreams and expectations into the relationship

with the victim. He was planning on marriage. At

the same time, he was under pressure at work,

Case 3:08-cv-02483-CRB Document 9 Filed 04/12/10 Page 6 of 18
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 7

because they demanded papers that he had obtained

legal residency or he would lose his job. In the midst

of all this stress, the victim, his fiancee broke off his

relationship abruptly without any explanations. The

result was that he lost complete control, and he was

overcome with feelings of hurt, rejection, anger and

jealousy, as well as confusion. 

[Petitioner] expresses deep feelings of sorrow

and remorse about his actions at that time. He was 21

years of age, and he was totally overwhelmed by his

situation. At the time he felt that he had nothing

more for which to live. As a result, he also attempted

suicide. Looking back at it now as a mature adult at

the age of 37, he realizes how bad his choices were. 

He expresses deep feelings of sorrow, shame and

remorse at the injury he caused to his fiancee. His

feelings of remorse appear to be quite sincere and

genuine. 

[Petitioner] has explored the commitment

offense and the underlining [sic] causes at length. I

agree with Dr. Sexton’s assessment that his

explanation of the causes related to this offense is

outstanding. He totally understands what motivated

him to become involved in this offense at the time. 

He continues to be remorseful and bothered by this

action. He does not need to participate in any further

counseling, therapy or self-help groups in order to

understand himself and his actions better at that time. 

Doc. #1-2 at 25-26; see also id. at 28-33 (October 11, 2004 report of Dr. Sexton). 

In his assessment of Petitioner’s dangerousness, the psychologist

observed:

In considering potential for dangerous

behavior when released to the community . . . [the

results of Petitioner’s psychological testing] means

that if 100 men were released on parole, he would do

better on parole than 99 of them. This is an

extremely low risk level. As a result, he poses no

more risk to society than the average citizen in the

community. In fact, based upon his selfunderstanding, life experiences, growth and maturity

over the years, he probably poses less risk to society

than the average citizen in the community. 

Doc. #1-2 at 26.

Case 3:08-cv-02483-CRB Document 9 Filed 04/12/10 Page 7 of 18
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 8

The psychologist’s clinical conclusion reads as follows:

There are no mental or emotional problems in

this case that would interfere with routine parole

planning. [Petitioner] has an immigration hold, and

he plans to return to Mexico upon his release. He has

a great deal of family support in Mexico. In addition

to offers of residence, he also has job offers. He is an

experienced mechanic, and his skills are highly

desirable in the community. Employment will not be

a problem in this case. The prognosis for successful

adjustment in the community is very excellent. 

Doc. #1-2 at 26. 

Petitioner challenged BPH’s May 9, 2007 decision in the California

Supreme Court, which summarily denied relief on March 19, 2008. Doc. #6-3 at

2. On May 15, 2008, Petitioner filed the instant Petition for a Writ of Habeas

Corpus. 

LEGAL STANDARD

The Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 (“AEDPA”),

codified under 28 U.S.C. § 2254, provides “the exclusive vehicle for a habeas

petition by a state prisoner in custody pursuant to a state court judgment, even

when the petitioner is not challenging his underlying state court conviction.”

White v. Lambert, 370 F.3d 1002, 1009-10 (9th Cir. 2004). Under AEDPA, this

Court may entertain a petition for habeas relief on behalf of a California state

inmate “only on the ground that he is in custody in violation of the Constitution

or laws or treaties of the United States.” 28 U.S.C. § 2254(a).

The writ may not be granted unless the state court’s adjudication of any

claim on the merits: “(1) resulted in a decision that was contrary to, or involved

an unreasonable application of, clearly established Federal law, as determined by

the Supreme Court of the United States; or (2) resulted in a decision that was

based on an unreasonable determination of the facts in light of the evidence

Case 3:08-cv-02483-CRB Document 9 Filed 04/12/10 Page 8 of 18
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 9

presented in the State court proceeding.” 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d). Under this

deferential standard, federal habeas relief will not be granted “simply because

[this] [C]ourt concludes in its independent judgment that the relevant state-court

decision applied clearly established federal law erroneously or incorrectly. 

Rather, that application must also be unreasonable.” Williams v. Taylor, 529

U.S. 362, 411 (2000).

While circuit law may provide persuasive authority in determining

whether the state court made an unreasonable application of Supreme Court

precedent, the only definitive source of clearly established federal law under 28

U.S.C. § 2254(d) is in the holdings (as opposed to the dicta) of the Supreme

Court as of the time of the state court decision. Id. at 412; Clark v. Murphy, 331

F.3d 1062, 1069 (9th Cir. 2003).

When the state court decisions do not provide a reasoned opinion, as in

this case, the Court “must conduct an independent review of the record to

determine whether the state court’s decision was objectively unreasonable.” Sass

v. California Bd. of Prison Terms, 461 F.3d 1123, 1127 (9th Cir. 2006).

DISCUSSION

A. Due Process and the “Some Evidence” Standard for Parole Suitability

Determinations

The Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments prohibit the government from

depriving a prisoner of life, liberty or property without due process of law. U.S.

Const. Amends. V & XIV. It is now settled that California’s parole scheme,

codified in California Penal Code section 3041, vests all “prisoners whose

sentences provide for the possibility of parole with a constitutionally protected

liberty interest in the receipt of a parole release date, a liberty interest that is

protected by the procedural safeguards of the Due Process Clause.” Irons v.

Carey, 505 F.3d 846, 850 (9th Cir. 2007) (citing Sass, 461 F.3d at 1128); Biggs v.

Case 3:08-cv-02483-CRB Document 9 Filed 04/12/10 Page 9 of 18
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 10

Terhune, 334 F.3d 910, 914 (9th Cir. 2003); McQuillon v. Duncan, 306 F.3d 895,

903 (9th Cir. 2002). It does not matter that a parole release date has not been set

for the prisoner because “[t]he liberty interest is created, not upon the grant of a

parole date, but upon the incarceration of the inmate.” Biggs, 334 F.3d at 915. 

Due process accordingly requires that a parole board premise its decision

regarding a petitioner’s parole suitability on “some evidence in the record” such

that the decision is not arbitrary. Sass, 461 F.3d at 1128-29 (quoting

Superintendent v. Hill, 472 U.S. 445, 457 (1985)). The “some evidence”

standard is clearly established federal law in the parole context for purposes of 28

U.S.C. § 2254(d). Sass, 461 F.3d at 1129.

The Supreme Court set forth the “some evidence” standard in Hill, which

concerned the revocation of “good time” credits towards parole resulting from

prisoner misconduct. Hill, 472 U.S. at 455. The Court rested its holding upon

the procedural due process foundation it laid in Wolff v. McDonnell, 418 U.S.

539, 563-67 (1974). As the Court noted, Wolff required, among other things, that

a prisoner receive “a written statement by the fact finder of the evidence relied on

and the reasons” for the deprivation of his good time credits. Hill, 472 U.S. at

454 (citing Wolff, 418 U.S. at 565). The Court then added to the foundation it

laid in Wolff: “[R]evocation of good time does not comport with ‘the minimum

requirements of procedural due process,’ unless the findings of the prison

disciplinary board are supported by some evidence in the record.” Hill, 472 U.S.

at 455 (quoting Wolff, 418 U.S. at 558). 

The “some evidence” standard does not permit the Court to “reweigh the

evidence.” Powell v. Gomez, 33 F.3d 39, 42 (9th Cir. 1994). Instead, the inquiry

is “whether there is any evidence in the record that could support the conclusion

reached by the disciplinary board.” Hill, 472 U.S. at 455-56. While this test is

Case 3:08-cv-02483-CRB Document 9 Filed 04/12/10 Page 10 of 18
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 11

not stringent, it must at minimum protect a prisoner’s “strong interest in assuring

that the loss of [parole] is not imposed arbitrarily.” Id. at 454. 

Due process also requires that the evidence underlying the parole board’s

decision have some indicium of reliability. Biggs, 334 F.3d at 915; McQuillion,

306 F.3d at 904. Relevant to this inquiry is whether the prisoner was afforded an

opportunity to appear before, and present evidence to, the board. See Pedro v.

Oregon Parole Bd., 825 F.2d 1396, 1399 (9th Cir. 1987). If BPH’s determination

of parole unsuitability is to satisfy due process, there must be some reliable

evidence to support the decision. Rosas v. Nielsen, 428 F.3d 1229, 1232 (9th Cir.

2005).

B. California Law Regarding Parole Suitability Determinations

When assessing whether a state parole board’s suitability determination

was supported by “some evidence,” the Court’s analysis is framed by the statutes

and regulations governing parole suitability determinations in the relevant state. 

Irons, 505 F.3d at 850. Under California law, prisoners serving indeterminate life

sentences, like Petitioner, become eligible for parole after serving minimum

terms of confinement required by statute. In re Dannenberg, 34 Cal. 4th 1061,

1069-70 (2005). At that point, California’s parole scheme provides that BPH

“shall set a release date unless it determines that the gravity of the current

convicted offense or offenses, or the timing and gravity of current or past

convicted offense or offenses, is such that consideration of the public safety

requires a more lengthy period of incarceration.” Cal. Pen. Code § 3041(b). 

Regardless of the length of the time served, “a life prisoner shall be found

unsuitable for and denied parole if in the judgment of the panel the prisoner will

pose an unreasonable risk of danger to society if released from prison.” Cal.

Code Regs. tit. 15, § 2402(a). In making this determination, BPH must consider

Case 3:08-cv-02483-CRB Document 9 Filed 04/12/10 Page 11 of 18
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 12

various factors, including the prisoner’s social history, past and present mental

state, past criminal history, the base and other commitment offenses, including

behavior before, during and after the crime, past and present attitude toward the

crime and any other information that bears on the prisoner’s suitability for

release. See Cal. Code Regs. tit. 15, § 2402(b)–(d).

In considering the commitment offense, BPH must determine whether “the

prisoner committed the offense in an especially heinous, atrocious or cruel

manner.” Cal. Code Regs. tit. 15, § 2402(c)(1). The factors to be considered in

making that determination include: “(A) Multiple victims were attacked, injured

or killed in the same or separate incidents; (B) The offense was carried out in a

dispassionate and calculated manner, such as an execution-style murder; (C) The

victim was abused, defiled or mutilated during or after the offense; (D) The

offense was carried out in a manner which demonstrates an exceptionally callous

disregard for human suffering; (E) The motive for the crime is inexplicable or

very trivial in relation to the offense.” Id. 

Under California law, the “core determination” regarding a prisoner’s

threat to public safety “involves an assessment of an inmate’s current

dangerousness.” See In re Lawrence, 44 Cal. 4th 1181, 1205 (2008) (emphasis in

original) (citing In re Rosenkrantz, 29 Cal. 4th 616 (2002) and In re Dannenberg,

34 Cal. 4th 1061 (2005)). According to the state supreme court,

to the extent our decisions in Rosenkrantz and

Dannenberg have been read to imply that a

particularly egregious commitment offense always

will provide the requisite modicum of evidence

supporting the Board’s or the Governor’s decision,

this assumption is inconsistent with the statutory

mandate that the Board and the Governor consider all

relevant statutory factors when evaluating an inmate’s

suitability for parole, and inconsistent with the

inmate’s due process liberty interest in parole that we

recognized in Rosenkrantz.

Case 3:08-cv-02483-CRB Document 9 Filed 04/12/10 Page 12 of 18
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 13

Lawrence, 44 Cal. 4th at 1191 (emphasis in original). The court continued:

In some cases, such as this one, in which evidence of

the inmate’s rehabilitation and suitability for parole

under the governing statutes and regulations is

overwhelming, the only evidence related to

unsuitability is the gravity of the commitment

offense, and that offense is both temporally remote

and mitigated by circumstances indicating the

conduct is unlikely to recur, the immutable

circumstance that the commitment offense involved

aggravated conduct does not provide “some

evidence” inevitably supporting the ultimate decision

that the inmate remains a threat to public safety.

Id. (emphasis in original). 

C. Ninth Circuit Law Regarding Parole Suitability Determinations

A critical issue in parole denial cases concerns BPH’s use of evidence

about the crime that led to the conviction. A trio of Ninth Circuit cases guide the

application of the Superintendent v. Hill “some evidence” standard in

determining whether or not a particular prisoner would pose an unreasonable risk

of danger to society or a threat to public safety if released from prison, taking into

account the circumstances of the commitment offense: Biggs, 334 F.3d 910,

Sass, 461 F.3d 1123, and Irons, 505 F.3d 846. The first case, Biggs, explained

that the value of the criminal offense fades over time as a predictor of parole

suitability: 

The Parole Board’s decision is one of ‘equity’ and

requires a careful balancing and assessment of the

factors considered. . . . A continued reliance in the

future on an unchanging factor, the circumstance of

the offense and conduct prior to imprisonment, runs

contrary to the rehabilitative goals espoused by the

prison system and could result in a due process

violation.

Biggs, 334 F.3d at 916-17. Although the court in Biggs upheld the initial denial

of a parole date based solely on the nature of the crime and the prisoner’s conduct

before incarceration, it cautioned that “[o]ver time . . ., should Biggs continue to

Case 3:08-cv-02483-CRB Document 9 Filed 04/12/10 Page 13 of 18
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 14

demonstrate exemplary behavior and evidence of rehabilitation, denying him a

parole date simply because of the nature of Biggs’ offense and prior conduct

would raise serious questions involving his liberty interest in parole.” Id. at 916. 

Next came Sass, which criticized the court’s statements in Biggs as

improper and beyond the scope of the dispute before the court. Sass determined

that the parole board is not precluded from relying on unchanging factors such as

the circumstances of the commitment offense or the parole applicant’s

pre-offense behavior in determining parole suitability. See Sass, 461 F.3d at

1129 (commitment offenses in combination with prior offenses provided some

evidence to support denial of parole at subsequent parole consideration hearing). 

The last of the three cases, Irons, determined that due process was not

violated by the use of the commitment offense and pre-offense criminality to

deny parole for a prisoner sixteen years into his seventeen-to-life sentence. Irons

emphasized, however, that in all three cases (Irons, Sass and Biggs) in which the

court had “held that a parole board’s decision to deem a prisoner unsuitable for

parole solely on the basis of his commitment offense comports with due process,

the decision was made before the inmate had served the minimum number of

years required by his sentence.” Irons, 505 F.3d at 853. The court, citing Biggs,

then expressed “hope that the Board will come to recognize that in some cases,

indefinite detention based solely on an inmate’s commitment offense, regardless

of the extent of his rehabilitation, will at some point violate due process, given

the liberty interest in parole that flows from the relevant California statutes.” Id.

at 854. 

D. Analysis of Petitioner’s Due Process Claim

Petitioner seeks federal habeas corpus relief from BPH’s May 9, 2007

decision finding him not suitable for parole, and denying him a subsequent

Case 3:08-cv-02483-CRB Document 9 Filed 04/12/10 Page 14 of 18
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 15

hearing for one year, on the ground that the decision does not comport with due

process. Specifically, Petitioner claims that BPH’s decision is not supported by

the evidence in the record and instead is based on the unchanging facts of his

commitment offense. Doc. #1. Respondent answers that Petitioner has not

demonstrated that the state court decision was contrary to, or an unreasonable

application of, clearly established federal law, or that it was based on an

unreasonable determination of the facts, and that therefore he is not entitled to

relief. Doc. #6 at 4. 

After a careful independent review of the record, the Court finds that the

state court’s implicit determination that BPH’s decision to deny Petitioner parole

was supported by “some evidence” was objectively unreasonable. See 28 U.S.C.

§ 2254(d); Sass, 461 F.3d at 1127.

At his 2007 parole suitability hearing, BPH found Petitioner was not

suitable for parole and would pose an unreasonable risk to society or threat to

public safety if released from prison. Doc. #6-2 at 60-61. BPH based its decision

primarily on the circumstances of the commitment offense, but also relied on

what it viewed as a “little gap” in Petitioner’s “understanding of the critical

elements that led to the life crime.” Id. at 66, 68 & 70. Neither factor constitutes

some reliable evidence in support of BPH’s decision to deny Petitioner parole.

According to the psychologist who evaluated Petitioner prior to his 2007

hearing, Petitioner posed “no more risk to society than the average citizen in the

community. In fact, based upon his self-understanding, life experiences, growth

and maturity over the years, he probably poses less risk to society than the

average citizen in the community.” Doc. #1-2 at 26. The psychologist concluded

that Petitioner’s “prognosis for successful adjustment in the community is very

excellent.” Id. And regarding Petitioner’s “understanding of the critical

Case 3:08-cv-02483-CRB Document 9 Filed 04/12/10 Page 15 of 18
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 16

elements that led to the life crime,” the psychologist directly contradicted BPH’s

finding, observing:

[Petitioner] has explored the commitment

offense and the underlining [sic] causes at length. I

agree with Dr. Sexton’s assessment that his

explanation of the causes related to this offense is

outstanding. He totally understands what motivated

him to become involved in this offense at the time. 

He continues to be remorseful and bothered by this

action. He does not need to participate in any further

counseling, therapy or self-help groups in order to

understand himself and his actions better at that time. 

Doc. #1-2 at 25-26; see also id. at 28-33 (October 11, 2004 report of Dr. Sexton). 

In fact, nothing in the record supports BPH’s finding that there was a gap in

Petitioner’s understanding of the circumstances that led to his attempted murder

of his former girlfriend. During the course of his parole suitability hearing,

Petitioner was insightful and remorseful about the commitment offense and

underlining causes, prompting BPH to comment that “[t]here’s no question that

you’ve come to grips with the crime.” Doc. #6-2 at 68.

In light of the conclusion reached by the two licensed psychologists who

evaluated Petitioner, and the lack of any evidence in the transcript of the May 9,

2007 parole suitability hearing or other part of the record indicating that there

was a gap in Petitioner’s understanding of the underlining causes to led to the

crime, the Court dismisses BPH’s concern that Petitioner was not yet equipped to

transition successfully back into the community if he were granted parole, see

Doc. #6-2 at 68-69, as not supported by some reliable evidence. See Rosas, 428

F.3d at 1232 (if BPH’s determination of parole unsuitability is to satisfy due

process, there must be some reliable evidence to support the decision). Also

weighing heavily in favor of a finding of suitability was the solid support system

that awaited Petitioner upon his release, documented by the numerous letters of

Case 3:08-cv-02483-CRB Document 9 Filed 04/12/10 Page 16 of 18
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 17

support he received from family members and friends, which included multiple

firm offers of employment, financial support, as well as a place to live. See Doc.

#6-2 at 15-25. 

 Petitioner’s criminal offense was an isolated aberration in his past,

“temporally remote” – committed some seventeen years earlier – and certainly

mitigated by various circumstances indicating the conduct is unlikely to recur. 

See Lawrence, 44 Cal. 4th at 1191. At the time BPH denied Petitioner a parole

date for the fifth time in 2007, he had served seventeen years on his seven-to-life

sentence, almost nine years past his minimum eligible parole date. Perhaps in

some cases the circumstances of a prisoner’s commitment offense reasonably

may continue to predict his future even in spite of a prisoner’s dramatic

behavioral improvement while in prison. But, where, as here, Petitioner’s

complete lack of a violent history, his strong and wide-spread support from

family and friends, realistic parole plans that included multiple offers of

employment, financial support, and a place to live, highly favorable

psychological evaluations and his lack of any serious disciplinary violations

throughout his entire time spent behind bars, his continued imprisonment based

on the circumstances of his 1990 commitment offense rises to the level of a due

process violation the Ninth Circuit envisioned. See Irons, 505 F.3d at 854 (“in

some cases, indefinite detention based solely on an inmate’s commitment

offense, regardless of the extent of his rehabilitation, will at some point violate

due process, given the liberty interest in parole that flows from the relevant

California statutes”). Put in terms of Hill’s “some evidence” standard, under the

circumstances of this case, the circumstances of Petitioner’s commitment offense

of seventeen years ago do not constitute some evidence sufficient to support the

conclusion that petitioner remains a threat to public safety. See Hill, 472 U.S. at

Case 3:08-cv-02483-CRB Document 9 Filed 04/12/10 Page 17 of 18
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 18

455; Lawrence, 44 Cal. 4th at 1191.

After careful review of the law and the entire record now before the Court,

it is difficult, if not impossible, to reconcile BPH’s decision to deny Petitioner

parole with the evidence upon which it relied to make that decision. The Court

finds the record was “so devoid of evidence that the findings of [BPH] were

without support or otherwise arbitrary. ” Hill, 472 U.S. at 457. The state court’s

implicit determination that BPH’s finding that Petitioner was unsuitable for

parole and posed an unreasonable danger to society or threat to public safety if

released from prison constituted “some evidence” of unsuitability was objectively

unreasonable. See 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d); Sass, 461 F.3d at 1127. There simply

was no reliable evidence to suggest that Petitioner would pose an unreasonable

risk of danger to society or a threat to public safety if released on parole. Cal.

Code Regs. tit. 15, § 2402(a). Petitioner is entitled to federal habeas relief on his

due process claim.

CONCLUSION 

For the reasons stated above, the Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus is

GRANTED. Within twenty (20) days of the date of this order, BPH must

calculate a term for Petitioner and set an imminent date for his release in

accordance with California Penal Code § 3041(a). Within ten (10) days of

Petitioner’s release, Respondent must file a notice with the Court confirming the

date on which Petitioner was released. 

The Clerk is instructed to enter judgment in accordance with this order.

SO ORDERED.

DATED: April 8, 2010 CHARLES R. BREYER

United States District Judge

G:\PRO-SE\CRB\HC.08\Ruvalcaba-08-2483-bph grant.wpd

Case 3:08-cv-02483-CRB Document 9 Filed 04/12/10 Page 18 of 18