Three decades ago, a tragic incident unfolded when 12-year-old Polly Klaas hosted a slumber party with two of her companions at her mother’s residence in Petaluma, California. During that night, an intruder forcibly entered their home, leading to Polly’s abduction and tragic demise.
Subsequently, law enforcement apprehended the perpetrator, who was subsequently sentenced to death. Presently, the actions of the state’s governor have stirred deep frustration and disappointment in Polly’s father.
During 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom, a member of the Democratic party, imposed a moratorium on capital punishment throughout his tenure in the state. This decision resulted in individuals on death row receiving commuted sentences to life imprisonment. As this year marked the 30th anniversary of Polly’s tragic murder, Marc Klaas, Polly’s father, strongly criticized the actions of the Democratic governor.
Speaking to Fox News Digital, Mr. Klaas expressed his strong disapproval, stating, “Newsom is a pig.” Furthermore, he revealed that the governor conveyed his reluctance to be responsible for the execution of an innocent individual. The bereaved father contended that Governor Newsom’s decision in 2019 appeared to support the most severe and perilous individuals within society.
On October 1, 1993, Richard Allen Davis unlawfully entered Polly’s residence, restraining her two companions and obscuring their faces with pillowcases. Subsequently, he abducted the 12-year-old girl. Over the ensuing two months, a massive search effort involving thousands of individuals was launched to locate the missing child.
On that very night of the abduction, a woman observed Davis on her premises and contacted law enforcement. However, she opted not to press charges, leading to his departure from her property. Towards the conclusion of November, another woman discovered items on her land that raised suspicions of potential involvement in a crime.
She promptly informed the police, who proceeded to gather the pertinent evidence. Detectives were able to positively identify Davis as the individual present on the property that night, subsequently leading to his arrest.
Following his conviction, Davis has remained incarcerated on death row. However, it’s worth noting that California hasn’t carried out any executions since 2006.
In the aftermath of Polly’s tragic demise, her father has been unwavering in his commitment to ensuring the safety of other children. He initiated the KlaasKids Foundation and actively engages with families of abducted children. Additionally, he played a pivotal role in advocating for the implementation of California’s three-strikes law.
