CITRUS HEIGHTS, Calif. — It's been 10 years since a Citrus Heights man was stabbed and killed in his home. Three people were convicted in his murder, but now, that man's family said justice is being taken away from them following a parole hearing in October.
Chrissy Fonseca and her cousin, Kendra Carden, want to hold onto of their uncle, Jack Swaim. They remember him as a "jokester" with a contagious laugh.
"He was always there for us kids," said Carden.
But in January 2013, their uncle's life was cut short when he was stabbed to death in his Citrus Heights home. Three men were convicted in his death, including Jeffrey Douglas Powell. He was sentenced to 16 years to life for second-degree murder.
"That felt like justice. We felt like there was a chance these guys may never see the streets again," said Carden.
Just last month during a parole hearing, Powell was granted parole after serving a fraction of his sentence.
"That's not enough and it was clear in the parole hearing that that's how we felt. We felt that it wasn't enough time," said Fonseca.
What felt like justice during sentencing is now feeling like a slap in the face to the family.
"We were completely re-victimized again," said Carden.
Now, the family is fighting to get justice once again by writing a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom.
"Our goal is to have the governor rescind this date, at the very least, take it back or put it in front of a parole panel," said Carden.
The family has 90 days to appeal. In the meantime, even though they continue to fight for their beloved uncle, both these cousins said they have a feeling he would be shaking his head if he were still alive.
"He'd look at us, 'Look at you girls. You go, girls, but that's enough. Let it go,'" said Fonseca.
ABC10 reached out to the California Department of Corrections for a comment, but the inquiry was not immediately returned.
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