Derek Eugene Pettis: Gov Newsom blocks parole for man who shot deputy and killed volunteer chaplain in 1994

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: California Governor Gavin Newsom has made a resolute decision to overrule the state parole board's recommendation to release Derek Eugene Pettis, a man convicted of killing volunteer chaplain Bruce Bryan, 39, and shooting a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy Terrence Wenger, 31, in 1994.

Pettis, a former gang member, was granted "youthful offender" parole in September 2023, a decision met with outrage, prompting the Governor to intervene.

Derek Eugene Pettis was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison after he was convicted of first-degree murder in Bruce Bryan's death

In 1994, at the age of 24, Pettis was involved in a bar fight that ultimately led to the fatal shooting of Deputy Wenger and the death of volunteer chaplain Bryan.

Instead of arresting the former gang member after the brawl, Deputy Wenger chose to drive him home, an act of leniency that tragically backfired. As per reports, Pettis assaulted Wenger, stole his gun, and shot him in the eye after the deputy opened the rear door of his patrol car. 

Even though he collapsed at the time, Wenger did survive the shooting. 

However, things turned out to be different for Bruce, as recalled by his brother, Floyd Bryan. 

"They took him home instead of taking him to jail, and that’s the hardest part to understand," said Bruce's brother, adding, "They dropped him off a block from where he lived, and when he got out he hit the deputy, grabbed his gun and shot him in the head."

He further noted, "He chased my brother, shot him in the back. He had a vest on, so as he was on his knees trying to get up, he shot him again straight down between his shoulder there where there wasn’t a vest and killed him," as per Fox News. 

Pettis got 30 years to life in prison in 1996 after he was convicted of first-degree murder in the shooting death of Bruce and attempted premeditated murder for shooting Deputy Wenger.

Public outcry leads Governor Gavin Newsom to overturn decision about Derek Eugene Pettis' parole

The California Board of Parole granted Pettis "youthful offender" parole in September 2023, a decision that did not involve prosecutors due to a standing order from District Attorney George Gascon, who prohibits his office from arguing against the release of murderers.

After the decision was met with outrage, Governor Newsom, in a written statement, acknowledged Pettis' sobriety and good behavior in prison but expressed concern over his extensive history of violence and substance abuse.

"When considered as a whole, I find the evidence shows that he currently poses an unreasonable danger to society if released from prison at this time," noted the Democrat, adding, "Therefore, I reverse the decision to parole Mr Pettis."

State statutes have reportedly undergone revisions, progressively increasing the age criteria for "youth offender" designation multiple times in the last few decades, first from 18 to 23 and subsequently to 26.

The parole decision sparked controversy, especially considering that Pettis would be eligible for parole well before the originally mandated 11 years. 

Nathan Hochman wrote to Governor Gavin Newsom urging him to denounce Derek Eugene Pettis' parole

Critics argue that Pettis' potential release would be unjust, especially considering the gravity of the crime and the leniency shown by Deputy Wenger on the night of the incident.

District Attorney Gascon's standing order and the subsequent lack of prosecutorial involvement in the parole hearing have also fueled public outrage.

Further, the approval stirred widespread anger, leading deputies under Gascon to denounce the parole board. Nathan Hochman, a contender in the upcoming election against Gascon, took a stance by drafting a letter to Governor Newsom, urging him to reverse the decision.

He penned, "Pettis could have faced the death penalty — or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole — had Deputy Wenger died in the shooting, as many victims do when they are shot in the head," asserting, "To grant parole would be rewarding Pettis for the good fortune that the man he shot in the head happened to survive."

Despite the setback, Pettis will have another opportunity to appear before the parole board in 18 months, a timeline that significantly precedes his initial parole eligibility under the revised state laws.