For Immediate Release
Contact:
Eric Rose (805) 624-0572 or
Ryan Oliver (310) 854-8272
Los Angeles, March 18, 2009 – Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) President Paul M. Weber today questioned the legality of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) release of Kathleen Ann Soliah’s (aka Sara Jane Olson) to Minnesota.
“Since Soliah was a fugitive from justice following her terrorist rampage in the 1970s, the LAPPL disagrees that St Paul, Minnesota is her last legal residence. She had no legal status there, but instead used it as a base for her continuous effort to hide from law enforcement and escape prosecution for her crimes,” stated Weber.
A CDCR press release stated Olson’s transfer is consistent with the Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision, which permits offenders who meet the mandatory criteria to be supervised on parole in another state. One of the criteria is that the offender must have been a resident of the other state for at least one continuous year and have resident family in the other state who have indicated a willingness and ability to assist in the plan of supervision.
The LAPPL finds that Soliah’s release to another state appears to violate Penal Code Section 3003, the statute that governs geographic placement of parolees. The statute requires that a person be paroled to the county that was the last legal residence of the person prior to his or her incarceration. When parole to another county is allowed, such a release may be made only if it is "in the best interest of the public."
Further, according to Penal Code Section 3000, “The Legislature finds and declares…that it is in the interest of public safety for the state to provide for the supervision of, and surveillance of, parolees..."
“Kathleen Soliah's release to another state, which has little interest in monitoring her compliance on parole, is not in the best interest of the public. The State of California has punted its obligation of providing the supervision and surveillance of Kathleen Ann Soliah to another state. Since Soliah was not a legal resident of St Paul, Minnesota, and the public interest in her supervision and surveillance will not be advanced by transferring parole to Minnesota, her release to Minnesota should be rescinded,” stated Weber.
“We are extremely disappointed with Gov. Schwarzenegger’s decision to defer to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in allowing Kathleen Soliah, a convicted terrorist, to serve parole in the state of her choice,” Weber said. “We believe the governor should have used his influence in this matter to ensure that Soliah stay under the watch of California authorities as she finished out her sentence.”
Text of letter sent to Governor
March 17, 2009
Honorable Arnold Schwarzenegger
Governor, State of California
California State Capitol
Sacramento, California 95814
Dear Governor Schwarzenegger:
The Los Angeles Police Protective League, representing over 9,800 members of the Los Angeles Police Department, is disappointed that you deferred to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) in allowing the release of Kathleen Ann Soliah/Sarah Jane Olson to the state of Minnesota for parole, and respectfully request that you reconsider intervening in this case.
As we have stated in previous letters and the media, we feel strongly that as a convicted domestic terrorist who attempted to kill Los Angeles Police Officers, Kathleen Ann Soliah does not deserve any special consideration in terms of where she serves her parole.
In particular, we take issue with the CDCR’s approval of Ms. Soliah’s petition to have parole supervision transferred to Minnesota based on the criteria that the offender must have been a resident of the other state for at least one continuous year, and have resident family in the other state who have indicated a willingness and ability to assist in the plan of supervision.
As a 25-year fugitive from the law living under an assumed name, we assert that Kathleen Ann Soliah is not a legal resident of the state of Minnesota and should not qualify for CDCR’s program based on that criterion alone. Since all the time spent in Minnesota was under an alias, we are certain that she does not fit the residency requirements of the parole supervision program.
Further, as proven by the willingness of friends and family to overlook Ms. Soliah’s heinous crimes, accepting them as youthful mistakes, we are skeptical that they would be willing to come forth in the event that Ms. Soliah violates the conditions of her parole. In fact, we are concerned that they are motivated to cover for Ms. Soliah, if such violations occur.
For these reasons, we ask you to look into the legality of Ms. Soliah’s release to the state of Minnesota parole program. We are consulting with our attorneys on this issue and intend to continue shining a bright light on this situation until we have exhausted all of our other options. As representatives of the brave men and women who keep our streets safe, we take seriously our obligation to make sure that those who murder innocent Californians and attempt to murder police officers are punished to the full extent of the law.
If you would like to discuss this matter further, please feel free to contact me.
Very truly yours,
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Los Angeles Police Protective League
PAUL M. WEBER
President
About the LAPPL Formed in 1923, the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) represents the more than 9,800 dedicated and professional sworn members of the Los Angeles Police Department. The LAPPL serves to advance the interests of LAPD officers through legislative and legal advocacy, political action and education. The LAPPL can be found on the Web at www.LAPD.com
