N E W S   R E L E A S E

For Immediate Release:                  For More Information:
May 23, 1996                            NRA Public Affairs
                                        (703) 267-3820

                30th Violent Felon Kept In Prison
  As Part of NRA CrimeStrike's "Keep Killers In Prison" Project

Fairfax, VA -- For the 30th time, NRA CrimeStrike's "Keep Killers
In Prison" project has assisted in blocking the early release of
a violent felon.  Yesterday, the California Youth Offender Parole
Board released its decision to deny parole to convicted killer
Matthew Jerome Beck.  Beck's crime, for which he received two
consecutive 4 year sentences, involves the death of Mark Joseph
Foss, son of Rick and Hedie Foss.  On November 22, 1991, while
three witnesses watched in horror, Beck shot Mark Foss in the
back of the head in Mark's own home.  Beck, a reported gang
member with a criminal record, was just 15 years old at the time.

The parole denial came quickly -- in fact, the decision was
released on the same day as Beck's parole hearing.  Mark Foss'
parents, Rick and Hedie, who spoke to the Parole Board opposing
the release of their son's killer, attributed the swiftness of
the Board's decision to Beck's unrepentant attitude before the
Board and especially to the over 5000 signatures from California
citizens protesting Beck's release which the Fosses collected
with the aid of NRA CrimeStrike.

"We can't thank CrimeStrike enough for the fantastic job they've
done -- you've been our biggest supporters," said Rick and Hedie
Foss.  "Reliving our son's death has been very hard, but the
knowledge that the people of California and groups like NRA's
CrimeStrike are behind us has made our fight for justice
possible.  Please continue to send letters and petitions of
protest to CrimeStrike. Our son's killer may come up for parole
again, and the Parole Board considers every letter they receive."

Since its creation in 1993, NRA CrimeStrike's "Keep Killers in
Prison" project has now successfully blocked the early parole of
30 killers in more than a dozen states.  "We must continue to
succeed in keeping killers like Beck from being granted parole. 
Everyday in America, convicted criminals on parole commit an
estimated 5 murders, 14 rapes, 228 robberies and 163 aggravated
assaults," said Elizabeth Swasey, Director, NRA CrimeStrike.  "I
commend the California Youthful Offender Parole Board's decision
to put the safety of California's citizens first," added Ms.
Swasey.

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Association Institute for Legislative Action, Fairfax, VA.

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