Convicted murderers face parole hearings; Vanderschoot family seeks 'Justice for Justine'

Daniel Lee Bezemer, 37, and Brandon Alexander Fernandez, 40, who were convicted in March 2005 in the murder of Justine Vanderschoot, have upcoming parole hearings. The Vanderschoot family doesn't believe either should be released. The family, along with Crime Victims United, is hosting a candlelight vigil Sunday, July 24, at 7:30 p.m. on the steps of the Historic Auburn Courthouse to honor Justine's life. "It's tough," Christine Vanderschoot, Justine's older sister, said in an interview with the Auburn Journal on Tuesday. "We don't get to make the memories with her or talk to her or go through certain things in life that I may have had. … Danny and Brandon can still talk to their parents. They can still laugh, even though it's over the phone. They still have that opportunity to have those memories created, where mine were taken away 19 years ago and I don't get to make anymore new ones." According to Christine, the vigil will include a memory table for individuals to bring letters, pictures and items that belonged to or remind them of Justine for the community to see. The memory table will be followed by a prayer, a moment of silence and speakers. A Placer County news release notes speakers will include the Vanderschoot family, Placer County District Attorney's Office and Placer County Sheriff's Office. "Just to keep her memory alive; she's not forgotten and will never be forgotten," Christine said. "To remind people that she was a life in this community. Auburn was her home and the community has stuck by us and to show them that we're thankful for their support in signing the petition, sending letters and getting the awareness out." Vanderschoot was last seen at a family dinner on Labor Day in September 2003. The Maidu High School student was 17 years old when her parents reported her missing from their Christian Valley home. Following weeks of searching, Vanderschoot's boyfriend, Bezemer, and his roommate, Fernandez, were arrested and charged with her murder. According to an Auburn Journal report, Fernandez led FBI investigators to Vanderschoot's body in a remote location in Applegate. According to the county news release, Bezemer and Fernandez admitted to the strangulation murder of Vanderschoot in 2003. Bezemer was convicted of first-degree murder and received a sentence of 25 years to life in 2005. He is currently serving his sentence at Valley State Prison in Chowchilla and has a parole hearing scheduled with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) parole board on Aug. 10. This will be his first attempt at parole. Fernandez was convicted of second-degree murder in 2005. He is currently imprisoned at the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility in Corcoran, serving a sentence of 15 years to life. Fernandez is scheduled to have a parole hearing next Thursday, July 28. This will be his second attempt at parole after being denied in 2017. Vanderschoot's family and the Placer County District Attorney's Office are requesting the parole board to deny Bezemer and Fernandez's release from prison. "It's like ripping the Band-Aid off, like it goes away and then it's pulled in front of your face again," Christine said. "She'll never not be a part of our everyday lives. We'll think about her every day, we talk about her, we share memories, we laugh about things we did with her. But this part is the part that I wish would go away, but I will never stop fighting because (Justine) doesn't have a voice anymore so we have to be her voice." Said Don Vanderschoot, Justine's father, "California's process is horrible. Why they want to take a victim and drag them through this again and again is beyond me. It's as if the victims lose rights and the criminals have more than they should be honored." Justine's mother, Lynnette Vanderschoot, described the process as nerve-racking and having a "pain in your chest." Said Don, "You just get to that point where you're remembering the good things and, kind of, the anger and despair goes away. And then all of a sudden, you're reliving it." Said Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire in a news release, "The amount of pain these defendants have inflicted on the Vanderschoot family is unimaginable. Justine's life was extinguished by these murderers in a horrifically cruel and vicious way. Now, the family must re-live their nightmare with each and every opportunity for release for these two defendants. The strength and grace of the Vanderschoot family through this indescribably difficult process is a testament to the human spirit." The Auburn Journal reached out to the Law Office of Mark S Axup, listed as representing Bezemer on case documents with the Placer County Superior Court, and Picone & Defilippis, listed as representing Fernandez, for comment. No response was received before press time. The Vanderschoot family confirmed they will attend both hearings virtually and read prepared impact statements asking the parole board for "Justice for Justine" and to keep both men in prison. An online petition is available to sign for members of the community who oppose the release of Bezemer and Fernandez. Lynnette Vanderschoot said the petition generated almost 5,000 signatures within 48 hours of its posting. The community can also send letters directly to CDCR. Justine's family described her as an outgoing, vibrant, feisty and determined woman. Fond memories they hold of her include Don playing his guitar for the girls at bedtime, Lynnette cooking dinners for the family and the girls' friends and making music videos with Christine. "Very loving, caring," Lynnette said of her daughter. "She loved children and babies, and she was really good with them. I just wish she was here to have her own." Don said he's thankful for all the support the community has provided, especially for its advocacy before the outcome of the upcoming hearings. The community came together in 2017 for a candlelight vigil during Fernandez's first attempt at parole. According to the county, more than 22,000 signatures were obtained on the 2017 petition opposing Fernandez's release. "I'd like to thank the community for all the support they've given us throughout the years, and they continue to do so," Don said. "That's why living in Auburn is a bonus. … We're lucky to live in the community we live in."