Michael Anselmo, one of the longest serving Nevada prison inmates, has appealed to district court arguing the Parole Board was arbitrary and capricious in denying his parole.
Anselmo has served some 36 years since his conviction for kidnapping and murdering Trudy Ann Hiler, 22. She disappeared after finishing her shift at the Cal-Neva Lodge at North Lake Tahoe in July 1971.
Her body was found two days later under a rock ledge between the casino and Lake Tahoe, stabbed and strangled to death.
Anselmo was granted the chance for parole at the urging of the man who prosecuted him " then Washoe District Attorney and later Supreme Court Justice Bob Rose.
"After 34 years in prison, Michael has paid for his crime," Rose told the Pardons Board in 2006.
Anselmo was denied parole in November for the maximum three years. He argues in his Carson District Court petition that the record shows the board didn't even review his inmate record before denying his release. He cited a black mark in his review referring to alcohol and drug abuse.
"There is no evidence at all that petitioner has a history of drug or alcohol use," his petition states.
Anselmo's handwritten petition asks the court to direct that he be paroled on the murder charge.
Even if he wins that parole, he must still serve a minimum of 2 1/2 years on a 10 year sentence for escape in 1976.
Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.