DA Dow Urges Governor Newsom to Reverse Early Release for Convicted Child Murderer

Author: District Attorney
Date: 4/25/2025 5:13 PM

Today, District Attorney Dan Dow contacted California Governor Gavin Newsom urging reversal of the Board of Parole Hearings' decision to release Allie Brown (formerly Herbert David Brown, III) early from prison. "Precious Lily deserves better. The time is now Governor Newsom, please help ensure that we have Justice for Lily Brown!"

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View District Attorney Dan Dow's video message to the public about how Proposition 57 is to blame for the early release from prison for violent murderers like Allie Hazel Brown (aka Herbert David Brown, III).

Download a copy of District Attorney Dan Dow's letter here. If you agree with District Attorney Dow, you can also contact the Governor and urge him to use the authority he has under the California Constitution to reverse the Parole Board's decision.  See sample letter to Governor Newsom below.

The Governor has authority under California Constitution, Article V, Section 8(b) to reverse a decision to release a convicted murderer on parole, but must do so within 30 calendar days. The decision was issued on April 22, 2025. 

#JusticeForVictims #JusticeForLily

SAMPLE LETTER TO GOVERNOR NEWSOM:
The Honorable Gavin Newsom 
State of California
1021 O Street, Suite 9000
Sacramento, CA 95814

Re: Allie Hazel Brown (formerly Herbert David Brown, III), CDCR# AY2227 

Dear Governor Newsom:

I am writing with an urgently time sensitive matter. You must act within 30 days of the Board of Parole Hearings en banc decision made on April 22, 2025. 

I respectfully urge you to immediately exercise your authority pursuant to Article V, Section 8(b) of the California Constitution and Penal Code sections 3041.1 and 3041.2 to reverse the grant of parole to inmate Allie Hazel Brown (CDCR# AY2227) that has now been affirmed by the Board of Parole Hearings en banc. 

Inmate Brown murdered their own daughter, Lily, when she was only 22 months old and still in diapers. Baby Lily was with Brown when the police arrived at Brown’s residence. Lily was in critical condition and had suffered a fractured skull and hemorrhaging in her brain. The doctor’s diagnosis was that the baby was violently shaken and her head was slammed against something hard at least once. 

Inmate Brown is clearly a dangerous threat to public safety and should not be granted release – certainly not before he serving the entire 15-year prison sentence that the Judge sentenced Brown to serve.

After you referred this case for an en banc hearing, only 11 of 21 commissioners attended the hearing that occurred on April 22, 2025. This means that as few as 6 commissioners were needed to approve the decision to release Inmate Brown. 

Please exercise your authority to reverse the tragic decision of the Board of Parole Hearings to release Inmate Brown. Please provide Justice for Baby Lily who cannot speak for herself. 

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