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Turlock rapist granted parole, despite DA’s objections
parole board

A Turlock man convicted in 1994 of kidnapping and raping a woman has been found suitable for parole even though the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office argued he still posed a risk to the community.

Daniel Ray Slayter of Turlock was sentenced to prison for the rape and kidnapping of a 19-year-old woman in Turlock. In 1994, Slayter approached a 19-year-old woman who was working in the office of the Brentwood Apartments in Turlock. He forced her into her car at knifepoint and made her drive to a canal bank off of Highway 140. He raped her on the canal bank and then took her car, leaving her stranded on the side of the road. He was convicted of rape, kidnapping during a carjacking, carjacking, use of a knife, assault with a deadly weapon and false imprisonment and was sentenced to a 15-year-to life prison sentence.

Slayter had a parole hearing on May 8. Chief Deputy District Attorney Jeff Laugero appeared at the hearing and argued for continued confinement based on the nature of the offense, the inmate’s lack of insight into the crime, criminal history, and the continuing threat of danger posed to the public.

The victim appeared at the hearing with her husband and adult daughter. The victim and her husband provided impact statements to the Board, which the district attorney’s office described as “two of the most impactful statements the Commissioners had heard in their years of conducting these hearings, both in their message and guidance to inmate Slayter.”

The victim told the panel how this crime, though traumatic, did not ruin her life. She was able to have a fulfilling life, with a loving husband and children. Her husband also provided a guide to inmate Slayter as to how he should view this chance at freedom and what he should do with this opportunity. Slayter did apologize for the crime during the hearing, according to the district attorney’s office.

Slayter had previously been found suitable for parole, but the request was sidelined by then Governor Jerry Brown, who ordered a hearing be held on the matter because there were questions of whether or not an assessment report contained inaccurate information. The hearing resulted in Slayter’s parole being denied.

The Governor’s Office reviews all grants of parole to life sentence offenders and decides whether or not parole should be granted.