A former Los Angeles police detective, Stephanie Lazarus, who killed her romantic rival Sherri Rasmussen and concealed the murder for more than two decades, has had her parole overturned. The decision to grant her parole was reversed after a hearing before three commissioners from the California Parole Board. Rasmussen’s family’s lawyer expressed their satisfaction with the decision, stating that Lazarus showed no remorse for the murder and had evaded arrest for 23 years.
Rasmussen, a nurse, was killed in 1986 by Lazarus, who was then an LAPD officer and previously dated Rasmussen’s husband. Lazarus staged the murder to look like a robbery, but DNA evidence linked her to the crime scene, leading to her arrest in 2009 and subsequent conviction in 2012. Despite being found suitable for parole in November, Lazarus’ release was challenged by Rasmussen’s family, who questioned her remorse and the justification of her release under California’s youthful offender law.
Governor Gavin Newsom, in a letter expressing reservations about Lazarus’ release, highlighted her lack of full responsibility for the murder until caught. A separate panel agreed with the governor’s concerns, prompting a closer scrutiny of the decision to release Lazarus. The outcome of the recent hearing before the parole board commissioners resulted in the reversal of Lazarus’ parole, ensuring she remains in prison for the murder of Sherri Rasmussen.
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