Three parole lifer hearings recently took place for individuals that have been sentenced to life or lengthy prison sentences out of Yolo County.

Russell Buchanan, 36, who is an inmate at California Correctional Institute in Tehachapi, CA was sentenced to life in state prison after committing two gang related crimes in January 2009 when he was 21 years old. One crime involved shooting a female victim in the leg in Solano County and the other involved robbery at gunpoint in Davis, according to a press release from the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office.

At his parole suitability hearing on Feb. 14, the Board of Parole Hearing commissioners concluded that Buchanan did not pose an unreasonable risk of violence to the community and that he should be paroled based on his risk assessment, programming in prison and information presented at the hearing. The commissioners recommended specific terms that he live in transitional housing for a period of at least six months, that he not use alcohol or marijuana, and that he not be in bars, liquor stores or locations where alcohol and marijuana are sold.

On Feb. 15, Christoper Bryson, 39, had his initial parole suitability hearing. Bryson was convicted by a Yolo County jury of “entering an inhabitated dwelling with intent to commit rape” in Davis, in addition to other serious crimes and was sentenced to life in state prison. He has been serving his sentence at Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, CA.

“The commissioners ‘gave great weight’ to the ‘Youthful Offender Factors’ because Mr. Bryson was 24 years old when he committed the crimes,” the press release read. “The commissioners found Mr. Bryson suitable for parole, indicating he no longer posed an unreasonable risk to public safety. The board indicated Mr. Bryson had completed substantial programming, including all of the programs they would have asked him to complete if they did not grant parole. The Yolo County District Attorney did not oppose the parole grant.”

Antonio Mason Delgado, 33, was found not suitable for parole during his first parole suitability hearing on Feb. 17. Delgado is serving a 23 years and 4 months sentence at Mule Creek State Prison for attempted murder, robbery and gang charges. Delgado and Michael Romero, both gang members from Sacramento, viciously attacked and robbed a man on Jan. 21, 2009 in West Sacramento. The victim suffered permanent brain injuries as a result of the attack.

Delgado was evaluated for suitability pursuant to youthful offender release. However, commissioners stated that “they were troubled by Mr. Delgado’s continuing minimization of his own direct role in the violent attack.”

Commissioners also emphasized his May 2022 alcohol violation while in prison. Delgado’s release was denied for three years and recommended that he attend denial management programs. His release date is set for 2025.