California
California murder victim's family speaks out as killer approaches release under elderly parole law
Twice-convicted murderer Walter Joseph Lewis was set to be released on parole under the California Elderly Parole Law, according to local news.
Lewis, now 76, first stabbed a man to death in 1965, when he was 18 years old and was sentenced to 13 years in prison for the crime. He later killed Robert Chartier in 1979 by beating him to death with a hammer, according to FOX 11 Los Angeles.
The Chartier family has been petitioning the California Board of Parole Hearings to reconsider Lewis’ release since 2017.
“On March 14th, 1979 within 6 months of release he killed Robert Chartier (my uncle) by repeatedly hitting him over the head with a hammer because he was jealous of my aunt who he’d know in high school. My uncle died 6 days later,” Chartier’s nephew, Jason Brock, wrote in a 2017 letter posted to Change.org.
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The Chartier family has been petitioning the California Parole Hearing Board to reconsider Lewis’ release since 2017. (Change.org)
“For the murder of my uncle Lewis was only given 15 years to life. This was without a doubt a gross injustice by the judicial system! If released he would most certainly kill again.”
Under the state elderly parole law, any convicted criminal over 50 years old who has spent 20 years in prison is eligible for release, FOX 11 reported.
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One of Chartier’s relatives named Karla told FOX 11 her family is in “shock.”
“We’re just in shock that it’s even happening. I can’t believe that somebody would approve of this man being released,” she told the outlet. “They were violent murders, they weren’t self-defense.”
Walter Joseph Lewis was sent to prison for killing Robert Chartier in 1979. (Getty)
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Hundreds of inmates have been granted parole under the law, which the California legislature enacted in 2018, according to FOX 11. The outlet cited California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation records when it reported 317 inmates were granted parole in 2020, 360 were granted parole in 2021 and 493 were granted parole in 2022.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the California Board of Parole Hearings and the District Attorney’s office.
Congressman Kevin Kiley has announced his plan to run in California’s newly redrawn 6th district.
In a statement on Monday, Rep. Kiley revealed he had considered running in the 5th District – which could have set up a possible showdown between two current Republican officeholders.
“It’s true that I was fully prepared to run in the new 5th, having tested the waters and with polls showing a favorable outlook in a “safe” district. But doing what’s easy and what’s right are often not the same,” Kiley stated.
Kiley currently represents California’s 3rd district, which originally comprised counties making up much of the back spine of the state.
As of the Prop. 50 redistricting push, the 3rd district was redrawn for the 2026 midterm election to lean toward the Democratic Party – with those eastern spine of California counties lopped off and more of Sacramento County, including Rancho Cordova, added.
California’s new 6th district is now comprised of Rocklin, Roseville, Citrus Heights, much of North and East Sacramento, and the city of West Sacramento. Democratic Rep. Ami Bera currently represents the district, but will be running for the new 3rd district in 2026.
Other declared candidates for the 6th district include Democrats Lauren Babb Thomlinson, Thien Ho, Richard Pan, Kindra Pring, Tyler Vandenberg, and Republicans Christine Bish, Craig DeLuz, and Raymond Riehle.
Kiley was first elected to the House in 2022 and was reelected in 2024.
SAN RAMON, Calif. (KGO) — An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 3.4 struck near San Ramon at 11:21 p.m. Sunday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.
USGS said the tremor was about 8.4 km in depth.
According to the Geological Survey, people typically report feeling earthquakes larger than about magnitude 2.5.
The closer to the surface an earthquake occurs, the more ground shaking and potential damage it will cause.
No injuries have been reported.
This is the latest quake in San Ramon, which has seen multiple strings of tremors in the past several months.
Bay City News contributed to this report.
MAP: Significant San Francisco Bay Area fault lines and strong earthquakes
Zoom in on the map below and compare where you live to the significant faults and where strong earthquakes have struck in the Bay Area.
Stay with ABC7 News for the latest details on this developing story.
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Copyright © 2026 KGO-TV. All Rights Reserved.
LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Worshippers across Los Angeles were met with an increased law enforcement presence on Sunday as police and sheriff’s deputies stepped up patrols outside mosques, synagogues and cultural landmarks following the strikes on Iran.
Local officials said there are no credible threats to Southern California, but the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department heightened visibility as a precaution to ensure communities stay safe.
More demonstrations tied to the attack on Iran are expected Sunday and Monday. Several protests were held across Southern California on Saturday.
READ MORE | Rallies for and against military action in Iran draw demonstrators across Southern California
While Iranian-Americans celebrated in Westwood, protesters gathered in downtown Los Angeles to oppose the Trump administration’s attacks against Iran.
While some groups gathered in downtown Los Angeles to protest the strikes, others assembled in Westwood to celebrate “the fall of the Ayotollah,” according to organizers.
Authorities said they will continue monitoring events as the region prepares for additional gatherings in the days ahead.
This is a developing story. This article will continue to be updated as more information becomes available.
Copyright © 2026 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.
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