Ex-Marine convicted of murder up for parole; opposed by D.A.

The Orange County district attorney’s office planned Wednesday to oppose the parole of a former Marine convicted of stabbing and killing another Marine in 1980.

Over 20 years later, the inmate, Roy Garcia, 54, remains a risk to the public, according to the Orange County district attorney’s office.

Garcia possessed illegal knives and engaged in mutual combat while incarcerated, prosecutors said. He blamed alcohol for his violence, according to a statement from the district attorney’s office.

“Due to the violent nature of his crime, his inability to follow rules in a controlled environment, and his lack of insight into his crime, Garcia represents a high risk of danger to society, and therefore, should not be released,” the statement read.

On Aug. 2, 1980, when he was 21, Garcia got into an argument with Eugene Brunelle, 22. The pair ran into each other at a San Clemente liquor store and were fighting over $10 Brunelle allegedly owed him.

Garcia purchased beer, left the store and returned with his pocket knife open in his back pocket, according to the statement. He stabbed Brunelle in the heart, and Brunelle was pronounced dead at a hospital soon after.

Convicted of second-degree murder, Garcia was sentenced to 20 years to life in state prison in February 1981. His parole was denied in February 2010 because authorities believed he still posed “an unreasonable risk to public safety,” according to the statement.

Garcia is expected for a parole hearing mid-morning Wednesday. Senior Deputy Dist. Atty. Jim Menelson intends to be present to oppose the parole.

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