Tony Protopappas, who accidentally gave those patients lethal doses of anesthesia in the early 1980s, was granted parole for serving more than 25 years.
Protopappas was convicted of three counts of second-degree murder in 1984 and sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for killing 13-year-old Patricia Craven, 23-year-old Kim Andreassen and 31-year-old Cathryn Jones.
Protopappas was granted parole June 22 by Fourth District appellate justices, overturning a decision by former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2010. His parole did not become effective until last Thursday, however, he wasn't released until Tuesday.
Protopappas' lawyer is now demanding prosecutors be held in contempt of court for his client's late release.
