After serving 29 years on a second-degree murder charge, 67-year-old Fred Hempstead was finally granted parole and released from San Quentin on October 8. The governor declined to review the parole board’s unanimous decision to release him — unlike a previous occasion when the governor overruled the board.
On one hand, I’m extremely happy for my old friend Fred. To see him walk out of this prison on his own two feet rather than being carried out in a pine box was a joy beyond all measurement. But on the other hand, I’m mad as hell that it took so long.
It is often said, “If you do the crime you must do the time.” But the follow up question is equally as important: “How much time equals justice?”
Like so many other “lifers” (with the possibility of parole), Fred Hempstead had appeared before the parole board many times. He had served well over his time and done all the things the parole board had required. The law says that you should be paroled when you are “rehabilitated.” Given the time he had served, his advanced age and his medical concerns, what purpose was served in holding him any longer?
But, now that Fred’s gone I’m also happy and grateful for my memories of him. His jokes and sense of humor are unmatched by anyone I’ve ever known. His funny account of why he was losing his hairs still brings a smile to my face: “Man, my hair refused to do all this time with me. So one night while I was asleep, it decided to escape without me.”
Fred was born in Minnesota and came to California in the late 70s, working as a salesman for Phillip Morris Tobacco Company. He would brag of wearing a different suit and tie each day as he traveled across the state, ensuring quality customer service and increasing his sales. He was well on his way to becoming one of the leading salesman of his district when he was persuaded to add another product to his inventory: marijuana. He said he never used the stuff himself, but pretty soon Fred found himself making more and faster money selling marijuana rather than cigarettes.
Disrespect over a drug deal gone bad, which had nothing directly to do with Fred but with his younger brother, sparked a verbal confrontation at a house party, ending with Fred shooting two men, one fatally.
Looking back, Fred said, “I take full responsibility for my action. If only I had these same tools back then to defuse the situation, and had I not been carrying a gun, it never would have happened and I never would have gone to prison.”
One of the groups Fred has been most passionate about here at San Quentin was S.Q.U.I.R.E.S., a group geared toward turning around troubled youth. He often shared his story with them, saying, “If you carry a gun, sooner or later you’re gonna use it.”
Because Fred rarely attended church services, few people knew that he was a deeply religious and spiritual person. “A true Christian is recognized and defined by his actions, not by his weekly rituals and words,” he said. He was also accepting of all religions: “That’s not for me or anyone to judge. Everyone has to be true to their own faith and answer to the God they pray to.”
I wish Fred good things without number and many blessings without end. I’m happy as heaven on the one hand and mad as hell on the other. Fred Hempstead should have been paroled years ago.
