Paso Robles man who attempted to murder two CHP officers denied parole
–The Board of Parole Hearings today denied the request from Douglas Martin Escobar to be released on parole from his life sentence in state prison for attempted murder of two California Highway Patrol (CHP) Officers.
On March 6, 1989, Escobar was convicted of two counts of attempted first degree murder with use of a firearm for his crimes committed on April 27, 1988 in Paso Robles. Two CHP officers were on patrol on Hwy 101 near the present day location of Firestone Brewery when they observed Escobar and his brother weaving along the road in a stolen vehicle. After initiating a traffic stop, Escobar exited the passenger side of the stolen vehicle and immediately leveled a pistol at Officer Ray Koenig and pulled the trigger. The gun did not fire and Officer Grant Kell drew his weapon and shot Escobar in the upper torso.
Though wounded, Escobar attempted to clear and fire his pistol at the officers while the brother Dennis Escobar attacked Officer Koenig and attempted to grab the officer’s firearm. Both officers sustained injuries during the incident.
This offense was committed while the Escobar brothers were on the run from law enforcement in Florida for killing a Miami police officer a few months earlier. Both Escobar brothers were sentenced to two consecutive life sentences by a San Luis Obispo County Superior Court Judge.
Deputy District Attorney Chase W. Martin appeared at the Parole Hearing Thursday on behalf of the People of the State of California and argued against the release on parole, arguing that releasing Escobar would present a great risk to the public and would be a tremendous insult to the officer he murdered, and those he attempted to murder.
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