Groups Fight Mass Killer’s Release

Relatives of seven people killed in a 1976 mass shooting at Cal State Fullerton are trying to build a national campaign of victim rights groups, law enforcement organizations and elected officials to oppose the release of gunman Edward Charles Allaway.

With a state mental hospital now recommending Allaway’s release, the victims’ families said it’s essential that they organize to keep the mass killer in custody. They plan to publicize their cause, write letters to the judge in the case and attend all hearings.

“What happened that day affected my life forever and it deeply affected all my associates who were also there,” said Cathy Morris, a CSUF employee who witnessed the shootings in the university library and still works there. “He murdered seven of our dear friends and we can never forget that.”

The shootings, on July 12, 1976, were the worst act of violence ever committed in Orange County or on any California State University campus. Two people were also wounded.

Orange County Supervisor Todd Spitzer, whose district includes the Fullerton campus, said he is organizing opposition to Allaway’s release. He’s added a page to his county Web site dedicated to the case and is planning a vigil to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the slayings.

“There are people in the community that need to stand up and be outraged by this,” Spitzer said. “The release of a mass murderer is totally inappropriate and outrageous.”

The Assn. of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs has asked international, state and local police groups to join the effort to keep Allaway at the state hospital, according to group President Wayne Quint.

“We’ll write letters and make sure the proper people are informed that law enforcement believes Allaway should remain in custody forever,” Quint said.

Allaway, 62, who was declared not guilty by reason of insanity, has spent more than two decades in state mental hospitals. He has the opportunity once a year to petition for release, but this is the first time doctors at Patton State Hospital have favored it.

Psychiatrists have said they believe Allaway’s illness--variously described as paranoid schizophrenia and bipolar disorder--is in remission. If he’s released, one of his first plans is to go fishing, his lawyer said.

Orange County Superior Court Judge Frank F. Fasel is scheduled on March 16 to set a date for a hearing on the issue. If the judge approves release, Allaway would be closely monitored by state mental health officials for one year before he could seek unrestricted freedom.

Allaway’s attorney, Deputy Public Defender John Bovee, said he fears that the involvement of politicians and interest groups will unfairly politicize the hearing. Spitzer, flanked by news reporters, shouted questions at Bovee as the lawyer discussed the case before news cameras.

“I’m disappointed Todd would politicize this particular case,” Bovee said. “It disconcerts me. But he’s a politician who needs to get reelected.”

Spitzer countered that his job is to represent the community, which he said is largely opposed to Allaway’s freedom.

Legal experts have said they can recall no case in U.S. history in which the admitted killer of so many people has been released.

Judges have rejected Allaway’s release requests three times before. Although the victims’ families attended those hearings, they have never been as organized as they are now, said Patricia Almazan, whose father, Frank Teplansky, a university graphic artist, was slain in the attack.

“I can’t tell you what weight has been lifted with this support,” she said.

Paul Paulsen, whose older sister was among the victims, said he was touched by the support.

“This has been a living nightmare. My mother’s had a broken heart for 25 years. My father died six years ago with a broken heart. I lost a sister,” Paulsen said. “Today was one of the few bright spots in a 25-year period.”

Times staff writer Jean O. Pasco contributed to this report.