Parents of murdered teen Chelsea King won't sue state
The parents of murdered San Diego County teenager Chelsea King said Friday that they will not sue the state of California over its failure to put the sex offender who later killed their daughter back in prison after he violated his parole for an earlier attack on a young girl.
Brent and Kelly King had filed a claim with the state, often a precursor to a lawsuit. The claim was not approved.
In a news conference, the Kings said a lawsuit would be a long and difficult process and require them to relive the agony of their daughter's murder. Chelsea, 17, an honor student at Poway High School, was abducted in late February while jogging near Lake Hodges.
John Gardner III pleaded guilty to murdering Chelsea King and an Escondido teenager and is serving a life sentence. He had served four years in prison for attacking a 13-year-old girl; although he violated his parole on several occasions he was allowed to remain free, officials said.
The Kings, working with Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher (R-La Jolla), convinced the state Legislature to pass what is called Chelsea's Law calling for tougher sentences and better monitoring of sex criminals who target young victims. The bill was signed by former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The Kings said they hope to meet with Gov. Jerry Brown about additional moves to safeguard children from sex criminals.
-- Tony Perry in San Diego
Photo: Chelsea King
EDITOR'S PICKS:
Advocating for enforcement and better laws to protect the public clearly highlights Chelsea's parents commitment to protecting everyone's safety! Suing the state wouldn't necessarily bring forth improved protections. The lawyers would be the beneficiaries if the state were sued.
Posted by: Gem | January 07, 2011 at 06:27 PM
I wish they would go through with the lawsuit in order to wake up the "soft on crime" politicians that permeate Sacramento.
Posted by: villaraigosahomie | January 07, 2011 at 07:42 PM
Actually villaraigosahomie, the lawsuit would not have done anything. The real problem is the 'tough on crime' politicians that have made anything and everything a severe penalty but space is at a premium, so how do we lock up?
We can't let the drug dealers out because come election time, my opponent will label me as 'soft on crime.' Can't let out the murderers because again, my opponent will label me as 'soft on crime.' Can't let out the sex offenders whose crime has nothing to do with children because come election time, I'll be smeared as putting children in danger.
GPS? What a great idea. Lets mandate that all Sex Offenders have to be monitored even though only 90% are not a danger and that we have to have the parole officers check on every blip the GPS makes regardless that most are false alarms. I mean, it is the people of California that is paying for it even though they want less taxes, but more cops and prisons.
Posted by: The Emperor | January 08, 2011 at 12:05 AM
Poor poor Chelsea.
Something needs to be done.
CA needs to protect the kids.
My heart goes out to the Kings.
Stay strong...
Posted by: Ken | January 08, 2011 at 02:09 AM
It is not the 'soft on grime' folks here; it is total incompetence within the probation dept. in that region in CA.
That probation officer &/or judge needs to be fired for incompetence. His/her responsibility is to protect the public, & they refused to do this by allowing that psychopath to be free instead of locked up.
Posted by: Pheasant guy | January 08, 2011 at 07:32 AM
Nope, I'm with "The Emperor" on this one. You can't cry about your taxes and cry about the lack of resources to combat crime at the same time. We have a great prison population that needs to be thinned by releasing small-time criminals and making room for the really bad ones. Just check on the caseload of any probation officer and you will find an error just waiting to happen. Psychologists? Not cheap, and no one is willing to pay for them with taxes. We reap what we sow, and our cheapness is showing.
Posted by: Logic and Reason | January 08, 2011 at 09:53 AM
The Kings are a classy family, god bless them and comfort them for all they have deserved.
The family of Mitrice Richardson could learn a lot from the Kings....
Posted by: u know | January 08, 2011 at 11:52 AM
@uknow
Chelsea King's parents have their answers. Mitrice Richardson's family has nothing but unanswered questions.
And god bless them? After what has happened to their family? Really? Hasn't he done enough?
If you lose a child and have no answers I hope you "learn a lot" as well.
Posted by: Frink Stink | January 08, 2011 at 12:08 PM
@Frink Stink
The FBI is going to do a complete thorough examination of the Mitrice Richardson case, the Richardsons will have their answers, so there is no need to file a lawsuit, unless you just want to get money from the county. I could see right thru this, I guess you can't.
Posted by: u know | January 09, 2011 at 11:59 AM