VISALIA – Tulare County District Attorney (TCDA) prosecutors secured a 10 year denial of parole for Jessie Farias, 48, for the 1995 murder and attempted murder of two men in Visalia during a virtual hearing on Aug. 30.

After being convicted of committing first-degree murder and attempted murder in 1996, Farias was sentenced to life in prison. While in custody, he was convicted of assault in 1999, and attempted murder in 2021, which led to him receiving a concurrent life sentence.

In issuing the lengthy 10-year denial, parole commissioners noted Farias’ violent prison behavior, lack of personal development and distinct lack of remorse for his crime.

The initial crime was committed on May 25, 1995 after Farias, armed with a shotgun and an accomplice, drove to a known location of rival gang members.

Farias’ accomplice, Luis Amador, fired a single blast from the shotgun, killing one adult male victim and wounding another as he drove past the group who were sitting outside playing cards. Through investigation and witness accounts, police arrested Farias and Amador the next day. It is alleged the crime was committed as an act of retaliation.

The Office of the District Attorney regularly attends life parole hearings, where an assistant district attorney successfully argues against the inmate’s release, which means Farias will continue to serve a life sentence at California State Prison, Sacramento.