On December 3, 2011, David Leonardo was watching his girlfriend’s daughter while his girlfriend was out. Instead of caring for the toddler, he beat two-year-old Priscilla Hernandez to death. An autopsy confirmed she had been abused before.
Leonardo was convicted in 2014 and was sentenced to 15 years to life for second-degree murder. However, because of one of California’s insane pro-criminal laws, Penal Code section 3051, subdivision (h), Leonardo, who was 25 when he murdered Priscilla, qualifies as a “Youthful Offender”, and gets favorable parole hearings.
Leonardo was granted parole on October 26, 2022, only eight years after conviction.
Governor Newsom reversed the parole board’s decision so Leonardo remained incarcerated.
On April 23, 2024, Leonardo was granted parole again. It is up to Governor Newsom whether he will reverse the parole board this time as well.
To tell Governor Newsom to keep Leonardo incarcerated visit his contact page which includes an email form. In the upper right of the page select the topic “Parole – Governor’s Review”. For purpose select “Request for Help”. In the message field include David Leonardo’s CDCR number which is AS9564.
Premature parole, like not requiring bail before trial and judges handing out light sentences puts large numbers of criminals back on the street without adding any law enforcement. The percentage of police to criminals continues to drop as crime continues to rise. Here at NPA, we’re defending law enforcement in our nation’s courtrooms, in the policy arena, and in the media. We need your support. Please send us your donation of $15, $25, $50, $100, or whatever you can spare to help us end pro-criminal, anti-police policies.