23 years ago, Jeffrey Langnese was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for the brutal murder of Lisa Shivek in El Cajon. And now, the parole board has declared Langnese fit for freedom. For the family of the victim, it's an unbelievable twist and one they are praying Governor Schwarzenegger overturns.
Lucy Shivak is driven to tears when she thinks about her daughter, "She just said to me, 'I'll be alright, mom -- I'll be alright.'"
At 27, Lisa Shivak had it all. Brains, beauty and an uncommon charisma. Her life ended in 1986. Lucy and Frank Shivak's daughter was brutally beaten and murdered by then 27-year-old Jeffrey Langnese. High on meth, Langnese -- a former Marine --bludgeoned Shivak with a shotgun, wrapped up her body and then dumped her on the Viejas Indian Reservation. To make sure she was dead, he ran her over several times with his pick up truck.
"He should pay for it...with more than what the hell he's paying for it at the present time," says Frank Shivak.
Three weeks ago, the parole board at San Quentin deemed Langnese fit for parole. His release is now conditional on the approval of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
"Certain crimes are so heinous -- so atrocious -- that an inmate should never be released on parole. This is one of them," says Deputy District Attorney Richard Sachs.
The parole board says Langnese has done all the right things in prison for 23 years. They believe he is rehabilitated. His attorney, Steve Difilippis, agrees.
"There was absolutely no violence before or after this event," argues Difilippis. "This is a situational type of event where a guy commits a pretty heinous, one-time act as a result of situational stress. We agree with the parole board."
"Lisa, the thing that she really wanted more than life -- children," says her mom Lucy.
For Lucy and Frank Shivak, the memories of Lisa fill their home. They pray that their daughter's killer never finds freedom.
"I don't feel they should turn that man loose," said Frank. "As god makes apples, he's going to revert back to drug use when he gets out."
