Oakland Mayor's Son Deemed “Danger to Public Safety”

Michael Dellums was denied parole for second-degree murder

Michael Dellums, the son of Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums, was denied parole once again Tuesday for his second-degree murder conviction for killing a reputed drug dealer in Oakland in 1979, according to Alameda County Deputy District Attorney Bill Boselli.

Michael Dellums, 50, has been denied parole numerous times, most recently on Jan. 8, 2007, the same day that Ron Dellums was sworn in as Oakland's mayor.

The California Board of Prison terms panel that presided over Michael Dellums' hearing today at the California State Prison, Solano, in Vacaville, where he is being held, decided he won't be eligible for another parole hearing for four years, Boselli said.

The panel that held the Jan. 8, 2007, hearing said that Dellums is "an unacceptable parole risk" and "a danger to the public's safety if released from prison at this time."

Board of Prison Terms spokesman Bill Sessa said he doesn't yet have information on the panel's reason for denying parole again today.

Boselli said he objected to Dellums being paroled but declined to say why.

Michael Dellums was convicted of second-degree murder and other charges on Nov. 13, 1979, for shooting and killing 26-year-old Gregory Davis, a reputed drug dealer, at 54th Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way in Oakland on Feb. 27, 1979.

He was sentenced to 15 years to life in state prison and has never been paroled.

According to records in Alameda County Superior Court, where Dellums' trial was held, he was born during divorce proceedings that ended Ron Dellums' first marriage and he was raised by his mother.

According to a letter that Dr. George Ponomareff, a Napa-based psychiatrist, wrote to a judge July 25, 1979, "the primary male influence in the home was a Mr. Steve Wilson, who was there approximately from ages 5 to 15."

According to a letter that Dr. David Grubb, another psychiatrist, wrote to a judge Aug. 9, 1979, that Ron Dellums "has not been a major figure in Michael's life."

Grubb said Michael Dellums "began to get into legal trouble at an early age" and was a truant from school.

Grubb said Michael Dellums himself estimated that he committed more than 100 burglaries in the North Oakland area.

Grubb said Dellums also was convicted of malicious mischief, burglary, multiple purse snatchings, armed robbery, petty and grand theft and auto theft.

Ron Dellums couldn't be reached for comment today.

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