Prison Inmate Convicted of First Degree Murder Once Again Denied Parole

District Attorney Jill Ravitch announced today that on September 29, 2020 Prison Inmate Vinh The Phang, now 60 years old, was once again denied parole by the California Board of Parole.

District Attorney Ravitch stated, “This inmate committed a cold-blooded murder and robbery. It is appropriate that he serve his entire sentence and not be released on parole at this time, in order to protect our community from further violence.”

Inmate Phang is currently serving a 25 year to life sentence stemming from the 1988 first degree murder conviction of businessman Johnny Fong.

On May 21, 1987 Mr. Fong was found in Petaluma, next to his vehicle, with two gunshot wounds to his head; Mr. Fong’s watch and wallet were missing. Seven days later, Inmate Phang was arrested at the Canadian Border with the murder weapon and the victim’s watch.

The Board of Parole found that Inmate Phang continues to pose an unreasonable risk of danger to society if released from prison. This was Inmate Phang’s third parole hearing.