Violent Serial Rapist Denied Parole

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation inmate David Earnest Poe, 61 years old of Point Arena, was issued a five year parole denial by the Board of Prison Terms following a Thursday afternoon hearing held at Corcoran State Prison. This was the defendant’s first parole hearing and the denial followed the defendant’s acknowledgement that he was unsuitable for parole. The defendant has been in prison since 1990 after being convicted of twelve counts related to the forcible rape of a then 14 year old girl.

District Attorney Ravitch stated, “The crimes that sent this inmate to prison were especially violent, and the board was right to deny parole for five years. We will continue to oppose his release until we are assured he does not pose a public safety risk.”

The charges stem from a violent incident in 1989 where, over the course of three hours, the defendant and his co-participant repeatedly raped a 14 year old girl. When her attackers finally let up, the 14 year old was able to flee to a nearby residence to ask for help. Following trial, a jury returned guilty verdicts and the defendant was sentenced to 83 years 8 months. The 1989 rape had not been the defendant’s first.

Additionally, while in prison, the defendant was convicted of possession of an inmate manufactured weapon and, pursuant to California’s three strikes law, received an additional and consecutive sentence of life with the possibility of parole.

The hearing was handled by Deputy District Attorney Christopher Brown.