California high school shooter ruling follows evolving approach to juvenile offenders

"For many, it was a surprise when a San Diego judge issued a ruling last week that could see the region's most notorious school shooter freed from prison at age 39. But a series of laws and court rulings favoring rehabilitation for youth offenders for more than a decade have paved the way for the possible release of Santana High School shooter Charles Andy Williams, who killed two classmates and wounded 11 more students and two adults in March 2001."

"Last week, San Diego Superior Court Judge Lisa Rodriguez found that such a lengthy sentence is essentially life without parole. She recalled or essentially, erased Williams' sentence and set him to be resentenced in Juvenile Court. There, he will get the benefits of today's laws governing juvenile offenders, and that likely translates into a release from custody. The District Attorney's Office is appealing."

"On Tuesday, as survivors of the Santana High rampage listened in, the judge explained her decision, saying she was following the guidance set by the San Diego-based 4th District Court of Appeal, Division 1, which she said has made its position on this issue clear. It is the same appellate court although not necessarily the same panel of judges that will review the district attorney's appeal of the Williams decision."

California law changes and appellate rulings have created pathways for youth offenders to seek relief from extremely long sentences. Individuals under 16 can no longer be charged as adults in California, parole becomes available after 25 years for youth offenders, and mechanisms exist to review life-without-parole sentences for juveniles. Charles Andy Williams was 15 when sentenced to 50 years to life for a 2001 Santana High School shooting. A San Diego judge concluded that a 50-to-life term functions as de facto life without parole, recalled his sentence, and ordered resentencing in juvenile court, potentially leading to release while the District Attorney appeals.

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