San Diego Couple's Killer Eligible for Parole

A man sentenced to life in prison for killing a San Diego couple is now eligible for parole.

The Board of Parole Hearings ruled Tuesday that Jose Gonzalez, 59, is suitable for release after serving nearly 37 years behind bars.

In 1978, Gonzalez was convicted of murdering San Diegans James and Essie Effron.

The Effrons owned a store in the 70s that had become an institution in the area, lasting about 54 years. But when Essie was diagnosed with colon cancer in 1977, the couple decided to close their business down, according to their son Gary in a web post.

They wanted to hold a going-out-of-business sale, so they hired Jose Gonzalez to help as a salesman.

After the store closed on Nov. 21, 1977, Gonzalez – with the help of accomplices – tied the Effrons up and bludgeoned them to death.

Gonzalez was later convicted of two counts of first-degree murder, while charges were dropped against the accomplices.

The next step toward his release more than three decades later will be a 90-day review by the Board of Parole Hearings on its own decision. If Gonzalez’s eligibility for parole is upheld, the proposal will be sent to the governor for his own 30-day review.

The Effrons’ children started a petition on Change.org, pleading with the board commissioners to deny Gonzalez parole. Nearly 300 have signed it.
 

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