Third Striker Denied Parole

Yesterday at a virtual hearing, TCDA prosecutors secured a parole denial for a California Three-Strikes Law inmate serving a life sentence. Earl Rashaun Seanior, Jr. age 51, of Tulare, was denied parole for 3 years by parole commissioners. Seanior is currently serving his sentence at Valley State Prison in Chowchilla.

In the summer of 1994, Seanior was a California Department of Corrections inmate at a re-entry center in Visalia that served as a work furlough program for inmates nearing their release dates. Seanior was scheduled for release that October after a 1993 felony conviction for attempted second-degree robbery and a separate first-degree residential burglary conviction. On September 2, Seanior received a temporary leave pass to look for employment, but he never returned to the facility. Two weeks later outside a Visalia check cashing business, Seanior overpowered a woman and took her purse, injuring her leg in the process. Police arrested him a few minutes later during a traffic stop.

In 1995, a Tulare County jury convicted Seanior of robbery and escape from custody, both strike offenses. In total, the court sentenced Seanior to 35 years, 8 months to life in prison.

This was Seanior’s second parole hearing. At his first hearing, parole was denied for 7 years. At this hearing, commissioners noted that Seanior maintained a pattern of criminal thinking.

The Office of the District Attorney routinely participates in life parole hearings and a deputy 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