SVSP Inmate in Soledad Sentenced to 50 years to Life for Possessing Weapons

SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on Wednesday, February 5 that Monterey County Superior Court Judge Timothy P. Roberts pronounced sentence on 38-year-old David Player, an inmate at Salinas Valley State Prison in Soledad, for possessing two stabbing weapons on the state prison grounds after his conviction by jury on January 17, 2020. Previously, Inmate Player was convicted of multiple serious and violent felonies, including second- degree robbery, attempted voluntary manslaughter with a firearm, attempted willful murder with a firearm, and assault by a life prisoner upon a correction officer. He also suffered convictions for brandishing a weapon on a peace officer and custodial possession of a weapon. In prison he sustained administrative rule violations for fighting, sexual misconduct, and weapons.
The trial jury found that Inmate Player did suffer three serious and violent prior convictions. Based on his prior serious and violent convictions, including attempted willful murder, the Court ruled that California’s “Three Strikes” Law applied to him. Following that law, the Court imposed a mandatory fifty years to life sentence on Inmate Player. Also, by law, his sentence must be served consecutive to any other sentence that he is already serving. Prior to the imposition of this sentence, Inmate Player was scheduled for elder parole eligibility in October 2041. Based his new convictions, he should now be barred from participation in the elder parole program.