A San Diego Superior Court judge granted a resentencing request on Tuesday for Charles "Andy" Williams, the individual convicted in a 2001 shooting at Santana High School. This decision could facilitate his release after 23 years of incarceration.
Williams, who was 15 years old at the time of the incident, pleaded guilty to the killings of two students and the injury of 13 others. The shooting occurred on March 5, 2001, when he used his father's revolver at Santana High School. He was subsequently sentenced to 50 years to life in prison.
Court Ruling and Potential Release
Judge Lisa Rodriguez's ruling means Williams' case will be transferred to juvenile court. According to the San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan's office, this transfer is expected to result in Williams' immediate release from prison without parole supervision or evaluation.
Judge Rodriguez stated that her decision was based on legal precedent rather than emotional considerations, as reported by CBS San Diego affiliate KFMB-TV.
Prosecutorial Opposition
Prosecutors promptly challenged the ruling in an appellate court to prevent Williams' release. District Attorney Summer Stephan stated, "As prosecutors, our duty is to ensure justice for victims and protect public safety, and the defendant's cruel actions in this case continue to warrant the 50-years-to-life sentence that was imposed. At some point our laws must balance the rights of defendants, the rights of victims, and the rights of the community to be safe."
Defense Perspective
Williams' attorney, Laura Sheppard, commented after the hearing, "I'm grateful that Judge Rodriguez was able to put away emotional reasoning and base her decision on the law."
Williams, currently 39, participated in the hearing virtually from the California Institution for Men in Chino. He was observed appearing to cry as the ruling was delivered.
Background of the Case
The shooting resulted in the deaths of 14-year-old Bryan Zuckor and 17-year-old Randy Gordon. Additionally, 11 students and two staff members sustained injuries.
Williams became eligible for parole in September 2024, but a state board denied his parole, citing him as an "unreasonable risk to public safety" and noting that it was unclear if he understood the reasons behind his actions.
Legal Basis for Resentencing
Prosecutors indicate that Williams' case has been moved to juvenile court for a disposition hearing. Due to his age at the time of the shooting, his convictions are expected to be redesignated as juvenile "true findings," after which he would be released from prison and potentially placed on juvenile probation.
The petition for resentencing was made possible by a 2011 law allowing judges to reconsider sentences for juvenile offenders who received life without parole. A 2022 appeals court decision extended this eligibility to those with sentences considered the "functional equivalent" of life without parole.