Over the opposition of the District Attorney’s Office, the CA Board of...

Over the opposition of the District Attorney’s Office, the CA Board of Parole has granted parole to a convicted robber and third strike offender. This week the board found that Michael Keith Williams, age 55, no longer poses an unreasonable risk to public safety.

On September 25, 2000, Williams, who was on parole, and one of his companions entered the Safe One Credit Union in Bakersfield. After a note was passed to the teller stating, “Give me your money,” Williams jumped over the counter, pointed a gun at the teller and said, “Open all your drawers or I’ll shoot you”. Williams and his two accomplices fled with $10,724 in stolen cash.

The Bakersfield Police Department pursed the getaway vehicle which quickly turned into a high-speed chase toward Lamont. Williams, who was driving the car, at one point hit a top speed of 110 miles per hour. During the pursuit, cash was thrown out the windows of the fleeing vehicle. Williams showed no regard for the life of the Safe One Credit Union teller nor the children on bicycles or walking along the route where his pursuit occurred.

On December 27, 2000, Williams was convicted of Second-Degree Robbery. As a third striker, he was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. While in prison he was convicted of Possession of a Weapon by a Prisoner which added four years to his prison sentence.

The DA’s asked the Board of Parole to deny parole. After a two-hour hearing, the Board of Parole found that Williams was suitable for parole, discounting evidence that Williams was openly deceitful in his risk assessment interview and had a hard time following the rules while in prison as he had recent violations for possession of cellular phones among other violations including his participating in violent behavior and drug use.

DA Zimmer commented; “Our office expressed serious concerns about the release of a three-strike offender with multiple prison violations. Public safety remains our top priority. While our concerns were not heard today, we remain committed to representing the interests of the community and advocating for crime victims.”