SOLANO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - On October 15, 2020, a parole hearing was held for Inmate Natalee Brown, who is currently serving a life sentence at California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s (CDCR) California Institution for Women – Chino. Chief Deputy District Attorney Sharon Henry appeared on behalf of the People and argued against her release. However, at the conclusion of the hearing, the Board of Parole granted Inmate Brown’s request for parole.  

Inmate Brown had previously been found Guilty of First Degree Murder, Kidnapping, Kidnapping for Carjacking and Carjacking by a jury on April 26, 2002. Regarding the conviction, a family member of Mr. Ishida stated, “I have to find peace, but because my son was tortured for two hours, I may never find peace. This has changed all of our lives forever.” Inmate Brown was subsequently sentenced to 25 years to Life for First Degree Murder and Life with the Possibility of Parole for Kidnapping for Carjacking. 

Senate Bill 1437, which provides for the re-sentencing of certain persons convicted of First Degree Murder pursuant to a Felony Murder theory, went into effect in January 2019. Pursuant to this bill, Inmate Brown petitioned the Solano County Superior Court for re-sentencing. On October 1, 2019, having granted Brown’s petition, the Court vacated the murder conviction and re-sentenced her to Life with Possibility of Parole for the conviction of Kidnapping for Carjacking.  

The evidence elicited at Inmate Brown’s jury trial showed that Inmate Brown, together with Co-defendants Dante Love and Glen Green confronted a man, Kenneth Ishida, in his apartment complex in Berkeley, California.  As Co-defendant Love pointed a gun at Mr. Ishida, Inmate Brown took his car keys and opened the trunk. The victim, Kenneth Ishida, was ordered to get into the trunk and his wallet and debit card identifying information were taken from him. Inmate Brown transported the victim in the trunk to a secluded location in Vallejo where Co-defendant Love removed the victim from the trunk and shot him several times killing him. Inmate Brown and Co-defendant Love drove to Richmond, Ca and continued to use the victim’s credit cards after his death until they were arrested. 

Solano County District Attorney’s Office opposed the release of Inmate Brown, arguing that she still posed an unreasonable risk to public safety. Inmate Brown testified at her parole hearing in support of her request for release. The Parole Board granted her request for release finding that she does not pose an unreasonable risk to the community.