In an extraordinary case, Gov. Jerry Brown has ordered the immediate release of an inmate who had been granted a parole date for August 12, 2023.
Brown found, “Mr. Nguyen’s conduct and rehabilitation [had] been exceptional.” He cited Mr. Nguyen’s role in assisting civilians to safety during a riot on the prison yard in 2006.
“While I do not downplay the seriousness of Mr. Nguyen’s crime, I note that it was Mr. Nguyen’s crime partners who initiated the confrontation that resulted in the murder. Mr. Nguyen did not participate in the assault and was not aware that it would take place. At the time, Mr. Nguyen was just 16 years old and was influenced to participate in the crime by his adult crime partners,” Brown wrote.
The Governor concluded, “In this unique case, I believe Mr. Nguyen’s exceptional rehabilitation dictates that he should receive an immediate release on parole.”
On April 1, 2011, Brown approved the Parole Board decision granting parole to Tung Nguyen, convicted as an aider and abettor in a first-degree murder when he was 16 years old.
The governor upheld the Nov. 3, 2010 decision of the Board of Parole Hearings, which “found Mr. Nguyen suitable for parole based on his remorse, insight, educational advancement, vocational training, lack of disciplinary infractions, participation in self-help programming, adequate parole plans, and stable social history.”.
Discussing what it means to be going home after 20 years, Nguyen said, “It means finally getting the chance to fulfill my obligation as a son, a brother, and an uncle. It means that I will be able to begin to create a future. It means that every good thing I have learned in prison from education, self-help programs, and spiritual programs, will finally be put to use to benefit me, my family, and others.”
