Foiled kidnapping ended in Downey High School teacher’s death. Parole board believes shooter still too dangerous 35 years later

A Ceres man who killed a Downey High School teacher more than 35 years ago has been denied parole 12 times. Jack Dewayne Britt’s most recent denial was last month, because the parole board believed he’s too dangerous to release.

The parole board at the May 17 hearing ordered Britt, 52, to remain in prison for at least another three years, according to the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office. But prosecutors say Britt could get a parole hearing as early as next year because of changes in state law for youth offenders.

Britt was 17 when he shot to death John Crahan, 51, on December 1, 1981. Britt, along with Stoney Hunt and Jonathon McIntyre who were both 18 at the time, mistakenly believed Crahan was wealthy because he drove a new Chevrolet Corvette. Prosecutors said the trio planned to kidnap Crahan and force him to withdraw $1 million dollars from his bank account.

Crahan, 51, became aware of a plot, saw the teens approaching his Modesto house and fired at them. Britt then shot and killed Crahan.

In 1984, Britt, Hunt and McIntyre were all convicted in Crahan’s murder, and each was sentenced to life in prison with a chance of parole. Hunt was granted parole in 2012 and McIntyre in 2010.

Deputy District Attorney Jeff Mangar appeared at Britt’s latest parole hearing. The prosecutor argued that the murder was callous, Britt has had disciplinary problems in prison, and he poses an unreasonable risk to the public, noting Britt’s prison tattoo of a German helmet and Nazi swastika.

This story was originally published June 11, 2017 at 4:17 PM with the headline "Foiled kidnapping ended in Downey High School teacher’s death. Parole board believes shooter still too dangerous 35 years later."