News Summary
Kenneth A. Bianchi, convicted serial killer and known as one-half of the Hillside Strangler duo, was denied parole after 46 years behind bars. The California Board of Parole Hearings decided against his release following emotional victim testimonies and strong objections from prosecutors, emphasizing the gravity of his crimes. Bianchi’s next parole consideration is set for 2033, amidst ongoing community concern about his potential release due to his notorious background and history of multiple denials.
Walla Walla, Washington – Kenneth A. Bianchi, a notorious figure convicted in the Hillside Strangler serial murders, was denied parole on Thursday after spending 46 years in prison. Bianchi, now 74, had sought early release as he nears the age typically associated with leniency in parole hearings. However, the California Board of Parole Hearings decided against his release following emotional testimony from multiple victims and firm opposition from prosecutors who underscored the severity of his crimes.
Bianchi’s next opportunity for parole consideration will not come until 2033. Over the years, he has repeatedly sought parole, only to be denied on numerous occasions, both in Washington and California, highlighting the enduring nature of the community’s concern over his potential release.
Criminal Background
Bianchi, who changed his name to Anthony D’Amato two years ago while incarcerated, was captured in 1979 alongside his cousin, Angelo Buono Jr., in connection with the brutal murders of 12 women across Los Angeles and Washington state. The men lured their victims by impersonating police officers, offering help to women at vulnerable locations such as bus benches and apartment complexes. Their horrifying methods included rape, torture, and murder, after which they discarded the bodies on hillsides surrounding Los Angeles.
Initially, Bianchi entered a plea bargain in which he pleaded guilty to five murders in California, as well as a conspiracy to commit murder, kidnapping, and rape in October 1979. Subsequently, he confessed to two additional murders in Washington state, further solidifying his status as a notorious serial killer. He is currently serving his sentences at the Walla Walla State Penitentiary in southeast Washington.
Controversies and Denials
Despite his guilty pleas, Bianchi has persistently maintained his innocence, alleging that his confessions were coerced through “hypnotic manipulation.” His legal team has made several attempts to appeal his convictions based on these claims. Furthermore, Bianchi is also linked to the murders of two Western Washington University students, Karen L. Mandic and Diane A. Wilder, for which he ultimately admitted responsibility after his arrest.
His co-conspirator, Angelo Buono, was convicted of nine counts related to the Hillside Strangler murders in late 1983 and passed away in a California prison in 2002. The history of their crimes has left a lasting impact on the victims’ families and the wider community, contributing to the continued opposition to Bianchi’s parole from various advocacy groups and prosecutors.
Future Legal Considerations
The Washington Indeterminate Sentence Review Board was scheduled to evaluate Bianchi’s case for parole in May 2025; however, the hearing has since been postponed. The Board’s decision regarding his future now awaits publication online by July 23. Even with a favorable decision in Washington, Bianchi faces multiple life sentences in California for his other convictions, making his release highly improbable.
Bianchi’s long pattern of seeking legal recourse to overturn his convictions reflects a deep commitment to his claims of innocence, despite overwhelming evidence against him. His criminal history remains one of the most chilling narratives of serial crime in the United States, leaving a legacy of fear and tragedy that persists to this day.
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times
- Wikipedia: Hillside Strangler
- Daily News
- Google Search: Hillside Strangler Kenneth Bianchi
- Fox News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hillside Strangler
- Newstalk KIT
- Google News: Kenneth Bianchi parole hearings
