By SDCN Editor
San Diego, CA–San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced Wednesday that victims of the 2001 Santana High School shooting are entitled to attend the upcoming parole hearing for the gunman, Charles “Andy” Williams.
The hearing follows the DA’s commitment to transparency and victims’ rights under Marsy’s Law.
Williams, who was 15 at the time of the crime, opened fire at the school in Santee killing two students and wounding 13 others. He was sentenced to 50 years to life in prison in June 2002. His parole hearing is scheduled for September 10, marking exactly 23 years since the tragic event.
The hearing is a result of California’s Youthful Parole law, which mandates that juveniles tried as adults and sentenced to life must be given a parole hearing within 25 years of their sentencing. Williams’ hearing will be conducted by video conference at 8:30 a.m.
Stephan emphasized the importance of victim participation in the parole process.
“Having victim voices at hearings like this is an extremely important part of the process,” said Stephan. “This crime has hundreds of victims, and it’s crucial they know their rights to participate in the parole hearing.”
Victims, their next of kin, family members, support persons, or designated representatives can attend the hearing by videoconference or telephone. To attend, victims must contact the Parole Board by August 26. They may also reach out to the District Attorney’s Lifer Hearing Unit for further information.
For attendance, victims should notify the Office of Victim & Survivor Rights & Services by email at victimservices@cdcr.ca.gov or by phone at 1-877-256-6877, specifying whether they will participate by videoconference or telephone.
