Judge could grant double murderer's release from prison, victims' children plead for help
SACRAMENTO (KABC) -- A Southern California family is once again asking for your help keeping a double murderer behind bars.
Jose Gonzalez, now 60, brutally beat James and Essie Effron to death with a lead pipe inside their San Diego clothing store in 1977.
He was convicted on two counts of first-degree murder the following year. But a quirk in California law and a change in parole board policy led to Gonzales being eligible for parole.
In February 2015, a board granted parole for Gonzalez, over the strenuous objections of the children of his victims.
MORE: Double murderer granted parole after nearly 40 years
Gary and Cheryl Effron launched a letter-writing campaign, which persuaded Gov. Jerry Brown to overturn the parole board's decision and keep Gonzalez in prison.
MORE: Gov. Brown blocks parole for double murderer
But Gonzalez has gone to court in San Diego, asking for a writ of habeas corpus to challenge the legality of his imprisonment.
The judge presiding over his proceedings has indicated he may be inclined to reverse Brown's decision and set Gonzalez free. If he does, Brown will have the opportunity to appeal the judge's ruling.
Gary and Cheryl Effron are asking ABC7 Eyewitness News viewers to again step up and write letters to Brown, urging him to appeal the judge's decision if he grants Gonzalez's release from prison.
If you would like to contribute to their effort, letters can be made out to the following address to be compiled into a binder:
Cheryl Effron, M.D., Inc.
500 S. Anaheim Hills Rd #210
Anaheim, CA 92807
Attn: Jay Williams
