| For Immediate Release
October 24, 2012 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami
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INMATE WHO ROBBED MAN AFTER SHOOTING AND MURDERING HIM EXECUTION-STYLE AGREES TO CONTINUE PAROLE HEARING TO 2015
SANTA ANA – The Board of Parole Hearings, California Department of Corrections (Board) denied parole today for three years for an inmate who robbed a man of his valuables after shooting him in the head at point-blank range and then tossed the victim’s body over a cliff in 1992. Jesse Luis Calderon, 43, is currently being held at Kern Valley State Prison in Delano. Jesse was found guilty by a jury Sept. 10, 1993, of one felony count of second degree murder with a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a firearm and was sentenced to 20 years to life in state prison.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Marc Labreche appeared via video conference today on behalf of the Orange County District Attorney’s Office to oppose parole. Multiple family members of the victim also appeared before the Board today for Calderon’s hearing. Prior to the hearing, Calderon stipulated with the Board to a 3-year denial, over the objection of the People, who were going to argue for a longer denial.
Murder of Harold Wayne Hughes
On the evening of April 22, 1992, Calderon, then-23 years old, arranged to meet with victim Harold Wayne Hughes at the top of a hill in Fullerton. When Hughes arrived to the location, Calderon pulled out a firearm and shot Hughes in the head at point-blank range. After the murder, Calderon stole valuables belonging to the victim including his necklace, rings, watch, and his wallet and disposed of the body by throwing it off a cliff. Calderon then drove away in the victim’s car and used the victim’s credit cards several times to purchase gasoline while hiding out in Orange County.
The body was discovered the next morning by people who were passing through the area and reported it to the Fullerton Police Department (FPD). FPD followed up with leads and arrested Calderon on April 24, 1992.
Threat to the Public and Failure to Accept Responsibility
The inmate has shown an inability to follow society’s rules by committing 30 major prison violations while incarcerated, including three violations which have occurred since his last hearing. The inmate was also convicted of two felonies while incarcerated which included being in possession of drugs to sell and for slashing the throat of a cellmate.
The inmate has failed to show any kind improvement in his academic and vocational training since his reception into the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and has not provided any type of future plan if granted parole.