FRESNO (KMJ) — Some of the valley’s and the state’s biggest names in law enforcement are hoping that their pressure on Governor Jerry Brown will mean a man convicted of murdering a mentally disabled man by burying him alive will stay behind bars.
David Weidert was found guilty of the 1980 murder of Clovis man Mike Morganti. Although he was denied parole when he was convicted, a change in the rules since then means he could be released.
The decision will be made this week whether or not to grant parole – and that call lies with Jerry Brown.
But Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims, District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp, and the California State Sheriff’s Association are all urging the Governor not to let him out.
“I know he’s a smart guy and I know he believes in rehabilitation”, says Mike Morganti’s sister Vikki Van Duyne. “Actually to be honest with you I do too, but in certain cases. I feel like you relinquish the right to come back out again when you do something at this level”.
The California State Sheriff’s Association and Fresno County’s Sheriff Mims have written to the Governor explaining how dangerous releasing Weidert will be.
DA Lisa Smittcamp says the life sentence is still relevant today because Weidert can’t begin to explain why he took mike Morganti’s life. She’s urging all concerned citizens to contact the Governor’s Office at (916) 445-2841 and asking him to stop the parole release.
