A Turlock man convicted of murder in 1989 was found unsuitable for parole, according to the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office.

Ronald Bartell, 51, was found unsuitable for parole during a March 30, 2017 hearing of the State Board of Parole Hearings held at the state prison in Corcoran.

In 1989, Bartell got angry with his friend, Troy Meadows and lured him out to a vacant pump house in an orchard in Turlock in order to shoot Meadows in the head, according to the district attorney’s office.

Bartell pled guilty to murder and was sentenced to 27 years to life in state prison.

Deputy District Attorney Petrushenko appeared before the board and argued for Bartell’s continued confinement based on his failure to complete any substance abuse treatment programs during the time he has been in prison and his failure to put together a comprehensive and detailed plan for his release. The Board of Parole Hearings agreed and denied parole for three years.

This was Bartell’s first parole hearing.