Santa Cruz Serial Killer, Herbert Mullin, Denied Parole - Central Coast News KION/KCBA

Convicted Serial Killer Herbert Mullin, 63, was denied parole by the California Board of Prison Terms at a hearing held at Mule Creek Prison Thursday February 17, 2011. Mullin murdered 13 people in roughly a four month period in 1972 and early 1973.

Mullin was convicted of the murders of ten of these individuals that were killed in Santa Cruz County. His youngest victim was a child of 4 years; his eldest victim was 73. He was also convicted of killing a priest in Los Gatos in the confessional booth. Mullin committed another two murders for which he was never charged.

The Santa Cruz County District Attorney's Office was represented at the parole hearing by District Attorney Bob Lee. Lee argued that Mullin should never be released from prison under any circumstances, due to the number and magnitude of his crimes, their senseless and horrific nature, and the risk he would pose to the community if he were released.

During the hearing District Attorney Bob Lee stated: "The horror and magnitude of these cold blooded and brutal murders cannot be overstated. The victims families and friends and the entire community suffered immeasurably by the actions of this man."

At the hearing during questioning, Mullin continued to partially blame others for the murders including his parents and his family. Although he admitted that he had killed the 13 people he insisted that his parents forced him to do it by their inappropriate upbringing and felt his parents and sister should be held responsible. Mr. Lee further argued:

"One of the reasons he gave in 1973 for killing these individuals was to prevent catastrophic earthquakes. It is ironic that Mr. Mullin actually killed more people himself than died in Santa Cruz County from the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake."

The Parole Board agreed and extended his sentence for additional ten (10) years. Mullin is not eligible for parole until 2021.