Cathedral city parents relieved after parole is denied for their daughter’s murderer
It was a roller coaster of emotions for the parents of Nicole Crystal Sinkule, after finding out their daughter's murderer was denied recommendation for parole.
“They weren’t tears of joy, I don’t know if it was tears of relief? I don’t know what it was,” said Nicole's mother, Claudia.
This week, the Sinkules received a four-page parole release document. Signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, it detailed the reversal of parole for Nicole's boyfriend at the time, Eric Nathaniel Marum, who was convicted in her death. He's serving 16-years to life in prison in Sacramento.
“I read the whole thing and got down to the bottom where it said ‘denied’. He’s staying in and he’s there. He’s not getting out for a while," said Glenn Sinkule, Nicole's father.
Nicole was raised in Cathedral City and it's where her parents reside to this day.
On October 16, 2005, 25-year-old Nicole was brutally murdered in her sleep while living in Oceanside.
But in November, Marum was granted a recommendation for parole by 2 commissioners of the California Board of Parole. We spoke with the Sinkules just two weeks after it happened.
“All Nicole was doing was sleeping. That’s all she wanted to do, was just sleep. And he took every right away from her, even her life," Glenn said.
Ever since that hearing, the Sinkules have worked non-stop to make sure Marum stays behind bars.
They’ve sent dozens of letters and garnered thousands of signatures from an online petition, eventually getting Governor Newsom’s attention.
And two weeks ago, their efforts gained national attention. The Sinkules, along with the investigator in the case and a San Diego Deputy District attorney, went over the details in a national podcast "Crime Stories with Nancy Grace."
“The thing that chokes me up the most is that the community, the community gave us wonderful support. I mean all the way from San Diego to Sacramento, we’ve gotten support. And it just, like I said, humbling. I don’t have a whole lot of words for this you know,” Claudia said.
The Sinkules believe Marum should remain imprisoned. Not only for brutally killing their daughter, but for the overall safety of the community.
“He doesn't belong on the street and he will hurt others so it’s not just keeping us and our daughter safe, it’s keeping the community safe. He will strike again. We know too much in this process, we know a lot,” said Glenn.
Marum will be eligible for recommendation for parole again in about 18 months. But until then, he’s not going anywhere.
Although the Sinkules were given some sense of relief, they say this fight is not over yet.
“We won this battle, but the war is still on,” said Claudia.
