In a case that shocked San Luis Obispo County, two of the three teens convicted in the 1995 murder of 15-year-old Elyse Pahler have been granted parole, while the youngest, Joseph Fiorella, remains in prison. The crime, influenced by death metal music and alleged satanic rituals, involved Jacob Delashmutt, Royce Casey, and Fiorella luring Pahler to a wooded area in Arroyo Grande, where they killed her.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Delashmutt and Casey were released after parole boards deemed them rehabilitated. Delashmutt, who initially blamed his co-defendants, admitted to being the “ringleader” and expressed remorse, saying, “I know that I am the most responsible for this crime.” Casey, who confessed to the crime and led authorities to Pahler’s body, was considered a low risk to re-offend by psychiatric experts.
Fiorella, who was 14 at the time, remains incarcerated. His case has been criticized for alleged mishandling and claims of intellectual disability. Despite the parole of his co-defendants, Courthouse News reports that Fiorella’s continued imprisonment raises questions about fairness and rehabilitation.
The murder, which involved Pahler being strangled and stabbed, was reportedly inspired by the teens’ obsession with death metal music, particularly the band Slayer. The case drew national attention and resulted in a failed lawsuit by Pahler’s family against Slayer, claiming the band’s lyrics incited the murder.
As Yahoo News notes, the parole of Delashmutt and Casey has sparked controversy, with Pahler’s family and others questioning the decision to release the men involved in one of the most notorious crimes in the county’s history.
Recent Comments