| For Immediate Release August 29, 2011 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
PAROLE HEARING CONTINUED TO 2014 FOR FEMALE INMATE CONVICTED OF 1987 ROBBERY-MURDER
TO STEAL DRUGS AND MONEY
FROM TRAFFICKING HOUSE
SANTA ANA – The Board of Parole Hearings, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitations continued the parole hearing today to 2014 for a female inmate convicted of murdering a man during a robbery of a drug trafficking house. Diana Sue Snyder, 52, was sentenced to 26 years to life in state prison after being convicted by a jury on May 19, 1992, of one felony count of murder with the use of a firearm. She is currently being held at the Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla, CA, and was scheduled for her initial parole consideration hearing today. Prior to the hearing, Snyder conceded that her parole would be denied and stipulated to a 3-year continuance.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Randy Pawloski originally prosecuted this case. Senior Deputy District Attorney Jim Mendelson opposed Snyder’s parole on behalf of the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
Murder of Marin Morales
Shortly after midnight on Dec. 27, 1987, Snyder and two male co-defendants, Martin Eckert and Jerry Reis, went to a Santa Ana apartment with the intention of committing an armed robbery. The defendants knew that 25-year-old Marin Morales was involved in trafficking drugs from the targeted apartment.
Snyder attempted to enter the apartment, where six men were inside, under the pretense of obtaining drugs in exchange for sex and/or credit. The men refused Snyder entry and drugs. The inmate then forced open the door with her elbow so that her armed co-defendants could enter the apartment and demand drugs and money.
After the defendants entered the home, Morales hit co-defendant Eckert in the head with a liquor bottle. Eckert then murdered Morales by shooting him in the chest. Snyder and her co-defendant then proceeded to steal drugs, money, and a VCR from the apartment and its occupants before fleeing the scene.
Snyder was arrested Jan. 14, 1988, while attempting to solicit prostitution to an undercover Santa Ana Police officer.
Lack of Remorse and Rehabilitation and Threat to Public Safety
Almost 20 years after participating in a violent, robbery-murder, Snyder has yet to gain insight into her crime. The OCDA’s parole opposition letter states, “She incredulously denies any knowledge of the robbery and murder yet admits that her drug use was a factor in her involvement.