Parole Board denies parole for inmate convicted of murder

A state prison inmate serving a 29-year-to-life sentence for a 1994 murder in Vallejo will spend more time behind bars.

The decision to deny parole for Sean Moore came Thursday during a state Board of Parole hearing after Chief Deputy District Attorney Sharon Henry argued that the inmate posed “an unreasonable risk for future violence” if released.

According to Solano County Superior Court records, on July 19, 1994, Moore, a drug dealer, and two other males who were armed with firearms, entered a Vallejo residence searching for the victim, Paul Cousins, who allegedly stole drugs from Moore.

Moore and the others found Cousins hiding in a bedroom. He tried to flee but was knocked to the floor by Moore and the other two assailants.

Cousins pleaded for his life and stated, “Don’t kill me…I will pay you back.” Two shots were fired, one to the back of the head and the other to his buttocks.

Other witnesses were in the home at the time. During the course of the investigation, several witnesses identified Moore as one of the three perpetrators. One witness identified Moore as the one who shot Cousins in the head.

The Solano County DA’s Office charged Moore with murder, residential burglary, and use of a firearm during the commission of both offenses.

On Feb. 10, 1995, a jury found Moore guilty of firstdegree murder, the burglary, and also found the gun enhancements to be true. He was sentenced on May 19, 1995, to state prison.

Moore testified at his parole hearing in support of his request for release for a five-year period, but the board, in agreement with Henry, denied his request.