Parole Denied in 1986 Porterville Murder

On February 12, 2019, at San Quentin State Prison, a California parole board issued a three-year denial for David Mason, age 74, for his involvement in the 1986 murder of a man outside Porterville.

Around 1 am on Sunday, October 26, 1986, a Tulare County Sheriff’s deputy found a manshot to death in his Ford Escort which was parked on the shoulder of Avenue 160 outside Porterville. Distinctive tire tracks indicated a second car had pulled behind and then alongside the Escort. One set of footprints were discovered which indicated a path from the rear of the Escort to its passenger window and back.

Through investigation, Mason and co-defendant Steve Rodriguez were arrested for the murder on November 23, 1986. It was alleged that the murder took place to silence the victim who had participated in a botched robbery with the defendants. In 1988, Rodriguez was sentenced to life without parole for the killing.

For his role in assisting Rodriguez with the killing, Mason was found guilty of first- degree murder in April of 1989 and sentenced to 25 years-to-life in prison. This was his 5th parole denial.

The District Attorney’s Office routinely attends parole hearings a supervising prosecutor argued against the inmate’s release in this case.

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