Fred Woods: Difference between revisions

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Perhaps it is the children — and their long struggles to lead normal lives — who provide a hopeful lesson from the Chowchilla kidnapping. Psychiatrist Dr. Terr calls the kids, "little heroes of medicine" who have shown through their stories the devastation caused by even brief moments of terror and short separations from parents. Today we know the importance of prompt treatment for psychological wounds. Whether caused by mass shootings or other traumas, intense therapy and early counseling provide the best chance for recovery from those wounds.

~~[[File:Chowchilla-mug-combo.jpg|thumb|220x220px|From left, Fred Woods, James Schoenfeld, center, and his younger brother Richard Schoenfeld.~~

All three pleaded guilty to kidnapping with one, Richard Schoenfeld, expressing remorse. But Fred Woods was already considering another scheme: a movie of their crime. In a newly discovered letter from 1976, Woods urges a friend to write a script. "I think it would make a damn good movie of the week, if not a feature," he writes. "It's big — real big — and a hot item everybody wants to know about." Woods adds, "If you do make it into a film, all I want is a percent of it."

All three kidnappers received mandatory life sentences. But their families had money to appeal. In 1980 a panel of judges hearing the appeal ruled the kidnappers would be eligible for parole. One member of this panel was Judge William Newsom, a strong believer in rehabilitation for felons.

~~After he retired, Judge Newsom became an outspoken advocate for the Chowchilla kidnappers, saying that the notorious crime was just a youthful "stunt" that had "no vicious aspect to it."~~

~~Judge Newsom lived long enough to see his son, Gavin, elected California's 40th governor. Now Governor Newsom will have the final say on whether Fred Woods is ever successful in his bid for parole.~~

After being denied parole 16 times, Woods' most recent effort was on October 8. It was not a good day for him. Just a few days earlier, prison investigators had found Woods guilty of conducting unauthorized business activities. While his punishment was just 30 additional days in prison, a blip in a sentence that's lasted decades, the rules violation was a serious impediment to parole.

The parole board decided not to release Woods and to set his next parole suitability hearing for 2024, when Woods will be 72. "Despite his age, Mr. Woods is still committing his criminal behavior," the board chairman ruled. "He chooses not to follow the rules of this institution."

~~His lawyer, Ms. Banos, says they will appeal, adding that as recently as January of this year the prison found no evidence that Woods was engaged in business from behind bars.~~

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[[Category:United States of America]]

[[Category:Kidnapper]]

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 Perhaps it is the children — and their long struggles to lead normal lives — who provide a hopeful lesson from the Chowchilla kidnapping.  Psychiatrist Dr. Terr calls the kids, "little heroes of medicine" who have shown through their stories the devastation caused by even brief moments of terror and short separations from parents. Today we know the importance of prompt treatment for psychological wounds.  Whether caused by mass shootings or other traumas, intense therapy and early counseling provide the best chance for recovery from those wounds.
-[[File:Chowchilla-mug-combo.jpg|thumb|220x220px|From left, Fred Woods, James Schoenfeld, center, and his younger brother Richard Schoenfeld.
-All three pleaded guilty to kidnapping with one, Richard Schoenfeld, expressing remorse.  But Fred Woods was already considering another scheme: a movie of their crime.  In a newly discovered letter from 1976, Woods urges a friend to write a script. "I think it would make a damn good movie of the week, if not a feature," he writes.  "It's big — real big — and a hot item everybody wants to know about."  Woods adds, "If you do make it into a film, all I want is a percent of it."
-All three kidnappers received mandatory life sentences.  But their families had money to appeal.  In 1980 a panel of judges hearing the appeal ruled the kidnappers would be eligible for parole. One member of this panel was Judge William Newsom, a strong believer in rehabilitation for felons.
-After he retired, Judge Newsom became an outspoken advocate for the Chowchilla kidnappers, saying that the notorious crime was just a youthful "stunt" that had "no vicious aspect to it."
-Judge Newsom lived long enough to see his son, Gavin, elected California's 40th governor.  Now Governor Newsom will have the final say on whether Fred Woods is ever successful in his bid for parole.
-After being denied parole 16 times, Woods' most recent effort was on October 8. It was not a good day for him.  Just a few days earlier, prison investigators had found Woods guilty of conducting unauthorized business activities.  While his punishment was just 30 additional days in prison, a blip in a sentence that's lasted decades, the rules violation was a serious impediment to parole.
-The parole board decided not to release Woods and to set his next parole suitability hearing for 2024, when Woods will be 72.  "Despite his age, Mr. Woods is still committing his criminal behavior," the board chairman ruled.  "He chooses not to follow the rules of this institution."
-His lawyer, Ms. Banos, says they will appeal, adding that as recently as January of this year the prison found no evidence that Woods was engaged in business from behind bars.
-]]
 [[Category:United States of America]]
 [[Category:Kidnapper]]