The governor of California has reversed the decision to release a convicted cop-killer on Friday.
Gov. Jerry Brown overturned a parole board's recommendation to release Hau Chan, who was found guilty of masterminding the armed robbery of a jewelry store that led to a shootout with police and left Los Angeles Police Officer Duane Johnson dead on Dec. 19, 1984, according to The Associated Press.
Chan, who is currently serving a life sentence in a state prison, argued at his trial that he was outside the store acting as a getaway driver when the shooting occurred. Earlier this year, a parole board found him suitable for release after 32 years behind bars.
Brown issued a decision Friday reversing the parole board's recommendation and ordered Chan to remain behind bars.
Los Angeles Police Protective League President Craig Lally said in a letter to the parole board opposing Chan's release that the robbery was a "cold-blooded execution of an on-duty police officer" and that he "should not receive the benefit of an early release, and be able to go home to his family, when Officer Johnson wasn’t even able to see the birth of his own daughter."
