Criminal Justice
After federal judge orders sex-change surgery, board OKs parole for inmate
Gender reassignment surgery that a federal judge has ordered California prison officials to provide to an inmate serving time for murder does not appear to be on a fast track.
On Thursday, a state parole board determined that Michelle-Lael Norsworthy is eligible for release, reports the Los Angeles Times (sub. req.). Once the decision is reviewed by Board of Parole Hearings counsel, the state governor will have 30 days to decide whether to object to the parole grant. Norsworthy, 51, is currently serving a life term.
Meanwhile, a federal appeals court on Thursday granted a stay of the surgery ruling in the San Francisco case while the state attorney general appeals it.
