Governor Jerry Brown has opened the possibility of parole for a man convicted of a 1979 home invasion murder in Ventura County, a move opposed by the county's District Attorney.
On January 12th, 1979 Jahn Vann shot to death Daniel Nack during a drug related robbery. He was convicted of first degree munder and other related charges, and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
In a statement from the governor's office, the governor says records show that a jury felt Vann had accidentally shot Nack during the robbery, and that the killing wasn't intentional. It also says during his nearly four decades behind bars, Vahn has never committed a violent act, and has been a dependable worker.
The commutation of the sentence to 40 years to life means that Vann is eligible for parole if a parole board decides he is ready.
But, the Ventura County District Attorney's Office opposed the action. In a letter to the governor, DA Greg Totten says to his knowledge Vann never accpted responsibility for the crime, and that the victims of the crime are still suffering.
