Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 02/24/2009

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Theresa Menshek (707) 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Chief Deputy District Attorney Spencer Brady

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

CONVICTED MURDERER, ROGER HILL, DENIED PAROLE

Sonoma County District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today that on February 20, 2009, a California state parole board denied parole for convicted murderer Roger Hill.

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua said, “We are pleased with the decision of the State Parole Board to refuse parole in this case.  This was a terrible crime against an innocent victim.  Inmate Hill continues to pose a risk to society and is not suitable for release at this time.”

In 1982 a jury convicted Roger Hill of murder in the first degree. On 11/23/80 at approximately 5:30 a.m., Roger Hill entered a mobile home through an unlocked door to burglarize the home. Ralph & Gale Currier were sleeping in the bedroom. Mrs. Currier woke up to use the restroom. Upon leaving the restroom, she began walking into the front room where, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Defendant pressed up against the wall. As she screamed, Defendant pushed her down to the ground. Gale Currier’s husband immediately emerged from the bedroom and yelled to Defendant to “get out”. Ralph Currier and Roger Hill began physically struggling, and ultimately Roger Hill stabbed Ralph Currier 17 times in the front and back of his body. Mr. Currier stumbled outside, as Roger Hill fled. Ralph Currier later died at the hospital.

After Roger Hill’s conviction, he was sentenced to serve 26 years to life in state prison. After serving 85% of the 26 years, Roger Hill became eligible to request a parole hearing with the Board of Parole. The Board has found him unsuitable for release and denied parole seven prior times. In determining whether or not to grant parole, the State Parole Board assigns a panel, typically two Commissioners, to hold a hearing to determine whether or not by clear and convincing evidence, the inmate still poses an unreasonable risk to public safety. The panel reviews the inmate’s prison record, considers the nature of the underlying offense, the circumstances surrounding the crime, any prior convictions and any other relevant factors that bear weight on whether or not the inmate still poses an unreasonable risk to public safety.

Deputy District Attorney Traci Carrillo represented Sonoma County in opposing Roger Hill’s release from custody. The victim’s wife, Gale Currier, was also present at the hearing to oppose Roger Hill’s release. Inmate Roger Hill will not be eligible for another parole hearing for three years.