Bezemer, convicted in Vanderschoot murder, to return to parole board 3 years early

Daniel Lee Bezemer, 41, who is one of two convicted in March 2005 in the murder of Justine Vanderschoot, will have a parole hearing Dec. 18, three years ahead of his formally-determined eligibility. Bezemer was initially denied parole on Aug. 10, 2022, but the decision was vacated due to technical difficulties which hindered the proceedings from being recorded. Bezemer was again denied parole on March 23, 2023, for a five-year period. Bezemer is serving his sentence at Valley State Prison in Chowchilla. Brandon Alexander Fernandez, 43, the second individual convicted for Vanderschoot's murder, was denied parole for the second time on July 28, 2022, also for a five-year period. Fernandez, however, was granted a resentencing hearing in 2024 due to his petition filed under Senate Bill 1437. On Aug. 1, 2024, Judge Michael W. Jones upheld Fernandez's sentence. Fernandez continues to serve his sentence at San Quentin State Prison and has a tentative date of July 2027 for his next parole suitability hearing. "The Vanderschoot family has had to endure nearly every post-conviction policy failure in California," Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire said. "This family has been pulled back to hearings seven times in seven years, and now they are having to return early to yet another parole hearing that should not happen for three more years." The DA's Office confirmed its Post-Conviction Unit will again stand beside the Vanderschoot family at this hearing. According to the DA's Office, the law requires the defendant to explain the change in circumstances to justify an earlier hearing date. The DA's Office is asking for the community to help in the following ways: Sign the petition at placer.ca.gov/8118/Justice-for-Justine-petition asking the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) Board to deny parole. Write a letter to CDCR opposing Bezemer's release. A letter template and information on where to send the letter can be found at placer.ca.gov/8132/How-to-Write-a-Parole-Letter-to-CDCR. Demand answers from CDCR on why the early advancement was granted. "Victims deserve more than a notification - they deserve stability," Gire said. "When parole dates are moved with minimal warning or input, families like the Vanderschoots are forced to relive their trauma again and again. A denial should mean something. California must restore a victim's right to stability in the parole process."