California’s governor has overturned a parole board’s recommendation to release a man convicted of masterminding a 1984 armed robbery that led to a shootout with police and killed a Los Angeles officer, according to a copy of the governor’s decision obtained by The Associated Press on Wednesday.
Hau Chan, 61, is currently serving a life sentence for murder after being convicted of orchestrating the Dec. 19, 1984 robbery at a jewelry store in the city’s Chinatown neighborhood.
Los Angeles Police Officer Duane Johnson was shot and killed during an ensuing gunbattle. A second officer, Archie Nagao was shot in the neck and survived.
Earlier this year, a parole board found Chan was suitable for release after 32 years behind bars because he had showed remorse, accepted responsibility and had participated in several prison programs.
But California Gov. Jerry Brown issued a decision Friday reversing the parole board’s recommendation and ordered Chan to remain in state prison.
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