Shelley Malil was granted parole on Tuesday, eight years after "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," actor was convicted for attempting to murder his girlfriend by stabbing her several times, The Los Angeles Times reported.
The convict appeared before a panel of parole commissioners in Riverside County that had gathered to revisit a ruling earlier this year that Malil, deemed a low risk for future violence by assessments, be paroled.
During the August 2008 attack, Kendra Beebe was at her San Marcos home when Malil came at her with a knife.
She sustained 23 puncture wounds and Malil was arrested and initially sentenced to 12 years to life in prison, The San Diego Patch said.
Earlier this year, Malil told the board that that the attack was fueled by a combination of jealousy, arrogance, low self-worth and alcoholism, The San Diego Union-Tribune noted.
While in prison, he has undergone numerous self-help courses and participated in Alcoholics Anonymous, which helped sway the Parole Board's decision.
In a text message after the hearing, Beebe told the Union-Tribune that "these men had a chance to take real action showing that we, as a society, value women and will protect them."
She said that, for this she was sad.
"Because of their inaction, I will continue to live in fear."
District Attorney Summer Stephan, whose office objected to Malil's release, said she was disappointed with the decision to grant him parole.
"We agree with the governor that Malil demonstrated uncontrolled rage and lacks an understanding of his crime," Stephan said, according to the San Diego Patch. "To approve this individual for release, given his violent attack, ignores the very real danger he poses to public safety."
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