Prison Inmate Convicted of Murder Once Again Denied Parole

District Attorney Jill Ravitch has announced that defendant Bryon James Tibbals, 55 years-old of Nevada, was denied parole following a hearing earlier today in front of the California Board of Parole Hearings. In addition to denying parole, the Board determined that Tibbals must wait three additional years before his next hearing.  

District Attorney Ravitch stated, “This was a heinous act committed by this inmate. We very much believe he would present a danger to the community should he be released from prison, and as a result, we are happy with the Board’s decision.”

The lifetime prison sentence resulted from the November 20, 1991 assault and murder of victim Eileen Souza, of Petaluma. Tibbals met Souza at a bar earlier that evening, they separated and he later picked her up again.  Tragically, the second contact ended with Tibbals beating Souza to death.    

Tibbals was initially sentenced to serve 26 years to life for the murder, and has been denied parole multiple times.

The case was originally prosecuted by former Deputy District Attorney Cliff Harris, the Parole Hearing was handled by Deputy District Attorney Juliette Hyde.