Rainsberger turned down in 19th trip to Parole Board

The state Parole Board announced Thursday that Rainsberger, in a wheelchair when he recently made his 19th appearance before the panel, will have to try again in two years.

Rainsberger, 63, has been in prison since March 1959 for the murder of Erline Folker. His release was opposed by Edward Folker, who says his mother's killer should stay behind bars for the rest of his life.

In 1972, Rainsberger's death penalty was commuted to life in prison without possible parole because of a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court invalidating capital punishment laws. The state Pardons Board in 1977 agreed to cut the sentence again so Rainsberger could eventually seek parole.

After numerous requests for a parole, Rainsberger finally got one in 1993. But he was ordered released to a halfway house in San Francisco that decided against accepting him, and the parole was rescinded.

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