Ackerman to Undergo Psychiatric Tests in Prison at San Luis Obispo

Bradley Ackerman, sentenced to life imprisonment for shooting his girlfriend, Julie Alban, in the back last June, has been transferred to a medium security state prison near San Luis Obispo for further psychiatric evaluation.

If prison officials determine that Ackerman, 24, needs continued psychiatric treatment, said Ted McAlister, a spokesman for the California Men’s Colony, he could be retained there for the duration of his sentence. Otherwise, McAlister said, Ackerman may be placed in a maximum security prison like San Quentin or Folsom.

McAlister said the evaluation should take about 30 days. From the day of his sentencing on Feb. 6 until March 29 when he was transferred, Ackerman was incarcerated at the California Institute for Men in Chino, a reception center for new prisoners.

Ackerman will not be considered for parole for at least nine years, McAlister said.

Ackerman, the stepson of Long Beach Press-Telegram Chairman Daniel H. Ridder, was convicted of shooting Alban, the daughter of a local orthopedic surgeon, as she slept in her bed. As a result of the attack, following an argument, Alban, 23, is permanently paralyzed below the waist.