Convicted Murderer to be Released on Parole

District Attorney Carla Rodriguez announced today that 60-year-old Fidencio Chavez, who in January of 2023 was found to be suitable for release on parole by the California Board of Prison Terms, will soon be released from state prison after Governor Gavin Newsom has elected not to intervene in the inmate’s release. In 1992, Chavez was convicted of First-Degree Murder for the stabbing death of victim Frank Tassara.

District Attorney Rodriguez stated, “The crime committed by Fidencio Chavez was an extremely brutal, vicious attack on a 62-year-old man. My office has continued to voice our opposition to this inmate’s release as we believe he still poses a significant risk to the community.”

The hearing, held in January at California Medical Facility Prison in Vacaville, was to determine whether Chavez currently remains an unreasonable risk of harm to the public or should be released back into the community on a grant of parole. After taking testimony from Chavez, reviewing prison files and psychiatric evaluations, and hearing arguments from both Chavez’s attorney and the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office, as well as statements from the victim’s family, the California Board of Prison Terms found Chavez suitable for release on parole.

Chavez murdered the victim in August of 1991 by stabbing him twenty-eight times. Chavez then attempted to cover up his crime by burying the victim’s body on his father’s property. At the time of his death, Tassara was well known in Cloverdale for driving an ice cream truck.

In a statement to probation prior to being sent to prison, Chavez claimed that Tassara was armed at the time, and that Chavez acted in self-defense. In subsequent statements to the parole board, Chavez changed his story and attributed committing the crime to being under the influence of drugs and alcohol. In another statement to the parole board, Chavez stated he murdered the victim because the victim was talking badly about him.

Deputy District Attorney Javier Vaca appeared on behalf of Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office at the parole hearing.

Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Brian Staebell
Media Coordinator, Carrie Trevena
(707) 565-3098