‘Onion Field Killer’ Again Seeks Parole

SAN FRANCISCO — “Onion field killer” Gregory Powell has asked the California Supreme Court to hear his appeal for parole.

Powell, 51, was twice convicted and sentenced to death for the 1963 murder of a Los Angeles police officer in an onion field near Bakersfield. The killing was the inspiration for a movie and best-selling book, “The Onion Field,” by Joseph Wambaugh.

In papers made available Wednesday, Powell’s attorney asked the court to overturn a Court of Appeal ruling in December declaring that Powell should be refused parole.

Parole Date Revoked

Powell’s first possible parole date was set for 1982 after the reversal of his original death sentence.

Public outcry over his impending release in 1984 prompted the board to revoke Powell’s parole date last April. That decision was reviewed by a Superior Court judge who said the parole board was wrong. The judge ordered Powell’s release but stayed the order pending the appellate court decision.

The Court of Appeal said in December when it ordered Powell held in prison that a “substantial likelihood existed that he would present a possible danger to others if released.”