Two parolees in California, Royce Casey and Jacob Delashmutt, were released this summer nearly 30 years after they participated in the chilling murder of 15-year-old Elyse Pahler. Their crime, which they claimed was part of a “satanic ritual,” has returned to the spotlight, raising serious questions about justice and rehabilitation.
This gruesome act dates back to 1995, when the teenage boys, then members of a heavy metal band, believed that “sacrificing a virgin to the devil” would enhance their musical talents. They lured Pahler, a friend, under false pretenses, claiming they were going to a party. Instead, they brought her to a secluded spot, turning what should have been a friendly outing into a horrifying nightmare.
Once there, the attack unfolded with shocking brutality. Delashmutt began by strangling Pahler with his belt. Casey pinned her down as Fiorella, the third accomplice, pulled out a large hunting knife. The trio took turns stabbing her multiple times. Pahler, in her last moments, cried out for her mother and Jesus. In the end, Casey delivered a fatal blow by stomping on the back of her neck. After the murder, they casually covered her body with leaves and returned home as if nothing had happened.
The crime shocked the community and garnered national attention, leading to their arrests and convictions in 1997. Casey received a sentence of 25 years to life, Delashmutt was similarly sentenced, and Fiorella was given 26 years to life. The heinous nature of the crime prompted Casey’s attorney to describe it in a 2021 habeas corpus petition as “gruesome and barbaric.”
Fast forward to July and August 2023, and California’s parole board granted releases for both Casey and Delashmutt. This decision did not come without controversy. California’s Governor previously denied their parole applications, expressing concerns about their understanding of the internal processes that led to such a crime and their ability to manage those issues beyond prison walls.
District Attorney Dan Dow strongly opposed the release of the murderers. He stated, “No amount of prison sentence would be enough to satisfy the debt that they owe to the family of Elyse Pahler and the community.” His words encapsulate the anger and disbelief felt by many who view the release as a grave miscarriage of justice.
While Casey and Delashmutt walk free, Joseph Fiorella remains incarcerated and will be eligible for parole in June 2026. His absence from the streets does not lessen the impact of the earlier releases on the victims’ families or the San Luis Obispo community. Elyse’s murder left an indelible mark, and many are left questioning the efficacy of the California parole system.
This entire episode stirs deep emotional responses. The idea of murderers being granted freedom, especially those involved in such a cold-blooded crime, is troubling. It challenges beliefs about justice and accountability—for both the perpetrators and the families of the victims. Time may have passed, but the pain of that crime remains fresh for those who loved Elyse Pahler.
As Casey and Delashmutt reintegrate into society, the questions linger: Have they truly rehabilitated? Can they understand what they did? Or does their release signal a troubling precedent in how society addresses the consequences of such profound violence? Time will tell, but for now, it reflects a haunting reality where past horrors can fade, but the scars remain for those left behind.
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