Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 03/31/05

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Greg Jacobs Deputy District Attorney: Marianna Lehr

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

CONVICTED MURDERER DENIED PAROLE FOR ANOTHER FOUR YEARS

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today that on March 29, 2005, fifteen years after Charles Seely was convicted of First Degree Murder, the Parole Board determined Seely is not fit to be in the community. A jury convicted Seely of murder and using a knife in the commission of the offense on October 27, 1989. The victim was his former wife, Verdine Periera. On March 28, 1990, the court sentenced Seely to a term of 25 years to life.

Verdine Periera and Charles Seely were married for a short time when young and had two children. Seely and Ms. Periera continued to see each other over the years. In June of 1988, Seely and Ms. Periera had a dispute over their grown daughter. On June 17, 1988, Ms. Periera spent some time together. While parked in the Safeway parking lot in Sebastapol, Seely continued this argument with Ms. Periera. Ms. Periera attempted to flee, but Seely prevented her. Seely had a knife in the vehicle. Seely stabbed Ms. Periera in her throat and chest eight times. Passersby witnessed the stabbing. When Seely realized people were present, he dumped Ms. Periera’s body with the knife protruding out of her chest onto the pavement. Defendant fled the scene and evaded law enforcement for several days after the murder.

On March 29, 2005 the Parole Board held a held a hearing to evaluate whether Seely was suitable for release. After reviewing the trial transcripts, probation report, victim impact letters, and Seely’s disciplinary records in prison the Board determined Seely is not fit to be in the community. The Board further declared that Seely will not be eligible for another hearing for four years. Prosecutor Marianna Lehr handled the matter for the People.