Youthful Offender Early Release Denied

Defendant Lawrence Reed, 34 of Vallejo, CA, was denied parole Tuesday following a “youthful offender” hearing held at Pelican Bay state Prison in front of the State Board of Parole Hearings. Assembly Bill 1308, which took effect January 1, 2018, expanded youthful offender hearings to include consideration of inmates who committed crimes prior to turning 26 years of age. During these hearings, the Board must consider the “hallmarks of youth” when looking at the crime committed, as well as other factors in determining the inmates request for release.

After a three hour hearing where deputy district attorneys from Sonoma and Marin Counties presented their opposition to Reed’s early release, the Board refused to agree to the release. Reed received a 5-year denial, meaning he will come before the Board next in 2024. He can petition for an earlier review if he believes he is ready for parole.

The Sonoma County charges stemmed from a strong-arm robbery in 2004 where a 19 year-old Reed, along with three other defendants drove from Marin County to steal marijuana from Santa Rosa residents. Not finding what they came for, the defendants bound the victims, pistol-whipped them, and held them captive while they ransacked their home. One female victim was targeted by Reed and sexually assaulted. The defendants ultimately got away with ATM cards, $300 in cash, and various sports equipment items.  

After the robbery, Santa Rosa Police Department sought information from neighboring counties regarding similar crimes. Ultimately, Reed and one of his co-defendants were identified as having committed an identical robbery in Corte Madera a few months prior. 

Following a jury trial Reed received a 45-year sentence in 2005 and subsequently pled to the Marin County Robbery and received an additional 9-year sentence.

Jenica Leonard, Sonoma County Deputy District Attorney, and Katherine Mitchell, Marin County Deputy District Attorney attended the hearing.