Fear again shadows the streets of a quiet beach town after authorities paroled George Nulph, a man convicted of multiple violent crimes, including murder and rape. Nulph, who committed crimes throughout the 1970s and 1980s, received supervised release from the Oregon Parole Board on February 19.
George Nulph, previously incarcerated for the crimes of rape and murder, was released into the community sparking widespread concern, Daily Mail reported.
George Nulph first made headlines in 1976, when he kidnapped Frances Christians, a mother of two, from Cannon Beach at gunpoint. He drove her to a remote area, assaulted her, and ended her life with a gunshot. This heinous act led to his conviction and subsequent imprisonment. However, his criminal activities did not end there.
Nulph was released from prison in 1986 after serving only nine years of his sentence. Tragically, just two months after his release, he attacked again, this time raping his 18-year-old neighbor, Virginia Carlonson, under the threat of a gun. Fortunately, Carlonson managed to escape the assault, which led to Nulph's rearrest and a significant sentence of a minimum of 75 years.
In October, five board members deemed Nulph fit for reintroduction into society, a decision echoed in previous cases handled by the Oregon Parole Board, which has a history of releasing violent offenders early. This decision has once again brought the board's judgment into question, especially in light of Nulph's brutal past.
The decision to release Nulph has outraged the families of his victims. Cynthia Christians, the granddaughter of Frances Christians, publicly condemned the decision, stating that authorities irresponsibly released him into the same county where he murdered her grandmother, which she finds both perplexing and unsettling.
Cynthia emphasized the broader implications of Nulph’s release, voicing deep concerns for public safety. "I don’t care that your health is failing, I don’t care that you’re an old man now," she said. "I care that you’re in public, and people are unaware of the evil now walking freely among them."
At a 2017 parole hearing, Nulph admitted his guilt, recounting the chilling details of his crimes, yet many, including another victim Virginia Carlonson, questioned his sincerity. Carlonson attended the 2017 parole hearing where she voiced her longstanding disappointment with the judicial system, especially with how it has managed cases involving severe crimes like those committed by Nulph.
Carlonson was particularly vocal about her perception of Nulph’s apology during the parole hearing. "His apology was fake and he said what he needed to say, thinking that he could get out," she remarked.
The circumstances surrounding Nulph's parole have sparked a broader debate on the policies governing the release of violent criminals. This case, alongside the early release of another serial offender, Richard Gillmore, by the same board, raises serious questions about the effectiveness and priorities of the parole system.
As Nulph reintegrates into a society that still bears the scars of his actions, the community and the victims' families watch warily, hoping that safety mechanisms in place will prevent any future crimes. The case continues to serve as a critical touchstone for discussions on criminal justice reform, particularly regarding the management of high-risk individuals.
In the meantime, the community remains vigilant, with many hoping for changes in parole board decisions to better safeguard public safety. The debate undoubtedly continues as individuals like Nulph walk free, prompting a reevaluation of parole and sentencing practices within Oregon and beyond.
