Yosemite Lakes Parks arsonist up for parole hearing

A man convicted of setting fires in the Yosemite Lakes Parks area in the summer of 2013 will face a parole review by the state Board of Parole next month, according to authorities.

Kenneth Allen Jackson is serving a sentence of 30 years in prison. His wife, Alice Waterman, was sentenced to 10 years.

“This case has been under review by the California Fifth Appellate District of California, for alleged constitutional violations committed by the prior prosecution team in 2013 and early 2014,” said legal secretary Susan Murray of the Madera County District Attorney’s Office.

The office is working on a letter opposing his release and expects it to be finished by month’s end. It urges any victims of the fires to contact Victim Services specialist Taguhi Bableyan, 675-7726, to add their voice to the letter.

District attorney investigators and a Bableyan will also be at 28464 Margaret Road in Coarsegold between 5-8 p.m. today to hear their views. For directions after 5 p.m., call 683-4146.

Only one letter may be submitted by the office due to the 2016 passage of Proposition 57, which increased parole and good behavior opportunities for felons convicted of nonviolent crimes.

Sally Moreno, a former local supervising deputy district attorney, prosecuted Jackson in 2013. She is now running for Madera County district attorney against incumbent David Linn.