Santa Rosa man convicted in 1988 murder of toddler denied parole

A 57-year-old Santa Rosa man convicted in 1990 of second-degree murder in the death of a 23-month-old child has been denied parole for the sixth time.

In a hearing Friday at Solano State Prison, the state parole board rejected Garry Allen Moore’s request to be released.

The board cited the brutal nature of the murder and its belief that Moore continues to minimize the extent of his conduct in the crime, according to a statement released by the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office.

In December 1988, Moore was on parole for two weeks for selling narcotics when he ditched his parole supervisor and moved in with his girlfriend and her toddler son.

On Dec. 12, the mother went to work and left the child with Moore.

When she returned, she found her child on the floor and not breathing. The boy was pronounced dead after being taken to a local hospital.

An autopsy determined the child had suffered multiple blows to his head, lacerations across his neck, two broken ribs, a lacerated liver and blunt force injuries.

Moore, who at first denied involvement, later admitted that he had struck the child because it was crying and making noise and didn’t let him sleep, the District Attorney’s Office said.

In making its decision, the state parole board took testimony from Moore and reviewed prison files and psychiatric evaluations. Deputy District Attorney Jamie Kandel testified in opposition to Moore’s release.

You can reach Staff Writer Martin Espinoza at 707-521-5213 or martin.espinoza@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @renofish.