Murderer’s parole is denied

A man who was convicted of the murder of his friend and the attempted murder of a Huntington Beach Police sergeant during a robbery almost 30 years ago was denied parole Wednesday after Orange County Dist. Atty. Tony Rackauckas challenged it, according to the DA’s spokeswoman.

The parole hearing was scheduled for Christopher Michael Sheehan, 49, who is serving 37 years to life in state prison at the California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo, according to the DA’s office.

Senior Deputy Dist. Atty. Matt Murphy of the homicide unit attended the hearing in San Luis Obispo.

Sheehan’s next parole eligibility will come up in five years, said Farrah Emami, the DA’s spokeswoman.

Sheehan was convicted July 11, 1986, for felony counts that include first-degree murder, attempted murder, robbery, burglary and a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a firearm and assault with a deadly weapon, according to prosecutors.

Sheehan and his friend, Thomas Oglesby, entered Things For Your Head, a drug paraphernalia store around 9:30 p.m. April 13, 1985. Once all customers had left the store, Oglesby pulled out his handgun and pointed it at a store employee, according to prosecutors. Oglesby then demanded money.

Store employee Cindy Marchette asked another employee, Laura Ecker, to get the money from the register. While at the register, Ecker activated the silent alarm, according to prosecutors.

After taking the money and loading store items into a bag, the two robbers, who were both out on parole at the time, ordered the three employees to sit on the floor of the backroom.

Sgt. Ed Deuel, who was in the area at the time the alarm was activated, responded. Oglesby shot him in the chest, but Deuel, who was wearing a bulletproof vest, was able to regain control. Deuel then shot and killed Oglesby, prosecutors said.

Sheehan shot at Deuel, then fled the scene. He was arrested April 23, 1985, in Kern County, prosecutors said.

Sheehan, who had a documented criminal history before the 1985 robbery, including forgery and second-degree burglary while already on parole, refused to take responsibility and always blamed Deuel for the shooting, according to prosecutors. He changed his attitude and admitted to shooting at Deuel only when he found out he was up for parole two months ago, prosecutors said.

The district attorney argued that Sheehan, who never spent a year out of jail without committing a crime, is not genuine and is not showing honest remorse for his actions.