article: A Los Angeles judge agreed with the governor's decision to reject parole for a Charles Manson follower imprisoned 43 years for two brutal murders. Bruce Davis' record shows there is 'some evidence' he is dangerous and shouldn't be freed, Superior Court Judge William C. Ryan wrote in a decision filed Wednesday. Davis, 72, was convicted in the 1969 slayings of musician Gary Hinman and stuntman Donald 'Shorty' Shea and sentenced to life in prison in 1972. He was 30 years old at the time. Then and now: Bruce Davis, Charles Manson's former follower (pictured left in 1970 and right in March 2014), has been denied parole after spending 43 years in prison for a double homicide in 1969 . Bloodthirsty: Bruce Davis held Gary Hinman, a friend, at gunpoint while Charles Manson (pictured) sliced his face open with a sword . Davis, who once bragged of cutting Shea's head off, claimed he has turned his life around in prison, earning a doctoral degree in philosophy, becoming religious and ministering to other inmates. He also married a woman he met through the prison ministry, and has a grown daughter. The couple recently divorced. The parole board cited those accomplishments, along with his age and good behavior as reasons to grant him parole in March last year. Gov. Jerry Brown rejected that decision in August, saying factors in his favor were outweighed by the brutality of the killings and Davis' lack of insight into the crimes, which he didn't admit until 2012 after claiming for years to be an innocent bystander. The Manson family planned to rob Hinman, a friend, but killed him after holding him two days because he said he didn't have money. Davis held Hinman at gunpoint while Manson sliced his face open with a sword. About a month later, Davis stabbed Shea, who worked at Spahn Ranch where the family lived. His body was found buried on the property years later. Homicidal maniac: Charles Manson, pictured left in 2011, orchestrated the murders of eight people in 1969, including actress Sharon Tate (right). Davis did not play a part in her slaying . 'Both victims were abused, defiled and mutilated,' Ryan wrote. 'These actions demonstrate the utmost callous disregard for human suffering.' The judge said he gave broad deference to Brown's discretion and that the governor's decision in August didn't amount to cruel or unusual punishment. Davis' lawyer had not seen the decision, but said he would appeal to a higher court. 'I'm stunned. I can't believe he would do that,' attorney Michael Evan Beckman said. 'The judge is wrong.' The parole board has found Davis suitable for release three times, but Brown and former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger reversed the decision each time. Steve Grogan, another participant in those murders, was released many years ago after he agreed to lead police to where the bodies were buried on a remote movie ranch in the San Fernando Valley. Captured: Steve Grogan (left) and Bruce Davis (right) enter court to be tried for murder in 1970 . Brainwashed: Manson family murderers Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkle and Leslie van Houton . Davis was not involved in the notorious killings of actress Sharon Tate, the pregnant wife of director Roman Polanski, and six others and was considered a better candidate for release. Manson and three followers, Leslie Van Houten, Patricia Krenwinkel and Charles 'Tex' Watson, remain in prison for life in the Tate killings. Co-defendant Susan Atkins died of cancer behind bars in 2009.
highlights: Bruce Davis, 72, was convicted in 1969 slayings of musician Gary Hinman and stuntman Donald 'Shorty' Shea .
  California Gov. Jerry Brown rejected parole board's decision to release Davis citing brutality of the killings .
  Davis claimed he's changed in prison, earning a PhD and becoming a minister .
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