West Sacramento Murderer Denied Parole

Press Release

(Woodland, CA) - April 28, 2026 - Today, convicted murderer Douglas Bentley was denied parole for the ninth time by a two-commissioner panel of the Board of Parole Hearings. Mr. Bentley is incarcerated at the CA Health Care Facility in Stockton. The hearing took place virtually.

On December 2, 1978, Mr. Bentley and a co-defendant entered the 600 Club in West Sacramento with the intention of robbing the establishment. In a quick turn of events of the botched robbery, Cecil Renfroe, aged 43 at the time and a patron of bar, was shot and killed by Mr. Bentley. On February 6, 1979, Bentley pled guilty to first degree murder and on March 26, 1979, he was sentenced to 25-years-to-life in prison for the murder.

The Commissioners both agreed that Mr. Bentley still posed a continued risk to public safety should he be released from prison. As recently as October 2024, Mr. Bentley committed rules violations, making alcohol with the goal of selling it for profit. During Mr. Bentley's closing statement, he stated that he didn't feel he was ready for release, and the psychologist who prepared his 15-page Comprehensive Risk Assessment rated him a Moderate (Higher Moderate) risk. The commissioners cited his institutional behavior as an aggravating factor where he showed a disregard for the rules. Also, they cited his limited insight into the causative factors of his life crime.

Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig praised the efforts of his Lifer Parole Division and their commitment to protecting the citizens in our communities. "We will continue to protect the public long after the end of the court proceedings."

Mr. Bentley will be eligible for parole again in three years.

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