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Supervisors listen to citizens concerns; Unanimously object to housing serial killer in Lassen County

Sept. 14, 2010 — UPDATE: Supervisors listen to citizens concerns
Unanimously object to housing serial killer in Lassen County

Barbara France
Managing Editor
More than 500 citizens showed up at the Lassen County Board of Supervisors regularly scheduled meeting to make their objections to having Loren Herzog, convicted serial killer, released on parole within the county’s borders. The supervisor’s chambers can hold 10 percent of that number. Therefore to make it fair that all citizens could hear the public comments and updated information on Herzog’s pending Friday, Sept. 17 release, the meeting was adjourned and then reconvened at 10 a.m. at Jensen Hall on the Lassen County Fairgrounds. According to the clerk of the board this is the largest turn out of a board meeting ever.

For nearly two hours Herzog’s parole was discussed and at the close of the public comment section of the meeting, District 2 Supervisor Jim Chapman made a motion that the supervisor authorize acting county counsel, Tracy Witry, to explore a writ of mandamus formally objecting to Loren Herzog residing in Lassen County once paroled. Jack Hanson, District 5 supervisor, seconded the motion and the motion was approved unanimously in a 5-0 vote. Herzog was originally to be released in Hanson’s district in the town of Doyle. Third District Assemblyman Dan Logue was able to negotiate with CDCR to have Herzog housed on state property outside of the California Correctional Center when his parole takes place.
Local officials, state officials who represent Lassen County and citizens have rallied together since word came Friday, Sept. 10 that Herzog, known as one of the “Speed Freak Killers,” was to be paroled this week. More than 2,000 petition signatures asking to keep Herzog out of Lassen County were signed in less than 24 hours. Those signatures will be forwarded to Logue’s office.
Herzog had three murder convictions overturned because of a botched interrogation. Herzog's 78-year sentence was reduced to 14 years. The prison system can no longer hold him because Herzog already has credit for time served from his 1999 arrest and his sentencing was reduced for good behavior.