Los Alamitos Area Cop Killer's Parole Denied Again

CYPRESS, CA — Sentenced in a time when a moratorium of death penalty and life without parole was enacted, cop killer Bobby Joe Denney was once again was denied parole today for the first degree murder of a police officer in 1977.

Because of the sentencing, Denney visits the parole board about once every five years. This year, as always, the hearing was packed with supporters of the late Cypress Police Sgt. Donald Sowma. Soma lost his life in the line of duty, and his fellow CPD officers have pledged to continue to support the cause to keep Denney behind bars for life.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Jim Tanizaki attended the hearing at the state prison to oppose Denney’s parole, along with members of CPD and family members of the fallen police officer.

“This case illustrates the danger a police officer faces in the line of duty. He or she never knows what danger lurks whenever they answer a call,” stated Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas. “Orange County is grateful to the Panel who correctly assessed this inmate’s danger to the community, sending a strong message that the killing of a police officer will not be tolerated.”

"The Board of Parole Hearings (Panel), California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Parole denied parole for five years today for an inmate convicted of the first-degree murder of a Cypress Police Department (CPD) officer responding to a burglary being perpetrated by the inmate," Orange County District Attorney's Office Spokesperson Roxi Fyad said in recent release.

Bobby Joe Denney, now 72-years-old, is currently being held at the California Institute for Men in Chino.

"Denney originally pleaded guilty on May 16, 1977, to one felony count of possession of a firearm by a felon, and was convicted by a jury on June 15, 1977, of one felony count of first degree murder with a sentencing enhancement for being armed with a deadly weapon," Fyad stated.

In 1977, before life without parole or the death penalty were enacted, Denney was sentenced to life in state prison and thus is now up for parole every five years. This case was originally prosecuted by then Senior Deputy District Attorney Bryan Brown.

Shutterstock Photo