Gang Member Denied Parole for 1995 Murder

At a virtual hearing on August 30, 2023, TCDA prosecutors secured a denial of parole for Jessie Farias, age 48, for the 1995 murder and attempted murder of two men in Visalia. Farias is currently serving a life sentence at California State Prison, Sacramento. Parole was denied for 10 years.

On May 25, 1995, Farias and an accomplice drove to a known location of rival gang members. Armed with a shotgun, Farias drove his vehicle past the group sitting outside playing cards. Farias’ accomplice, Luis Amador, fired a single blast from the shotgun, killing one adult male victim and wounding another. Through investigation and witness accounts, police arrested the men the next day. It is alleged the crime was committed as an act of retaliation.

Farias was convicted by a jury of first-degree murder and attempted murder. He was sentenced to life in prison in 1996. While in custody, he was convicted of assault (1999) and attempted murder (2021), in which he was sentenced to a concurrent life sentence.

This was the inmate’s first parole hearing. In issuing the lengthy denial, parole commissioners noted Farias’ violent prison behavior, lack of personal development, and distinct lack of remorse for his crime.

The Office of the District Attorney regularly attends life parole hearings and an Assistant District Attorney argued against the inmate’s release in this case.

Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Chief Deputy District Attorney Dave Alavezos (559) 636-5494