For the second time since 2022, a Santa Rosa woman has been denied parole for the 2012 death of a driver killed while chasing her lover around town.

Heather Anne Howell, 41, will continue to serve a sentence of 15 years to life in prison for the July 12, 2012, death of 56-year-old Santa Rosa resident Jesse Garcia.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s parole board rejected her parole bid during a hearing Thursday. Howell was first eligible for parole in July 2022, according to the board REJECTED.

With Thursday’s rejection, the board ruled she will be ineligible for three years, but can petition for an earlier review.

According to the Sonoma County District Attorney’s office, board members considered Howell’s testimony during the hearing, jail records and arguments from attorneys. They concluded that she posed a threat to the community if released.

“After 13 years behind bars, Howell has demonstrated that despite numerous rehabilitation programs in prison, she continues to pose an unreasonable risk of harm to the public,” Sonoma County District Attorney Carla Rodriguez said in a statement . “As such, we uphold the parole board’s denial.”

A jury convicted Howell in 2014 of murder, reckless driving and DUI manslaughter.

Officials previously said Howell’s blood-alcohol level on the night of the murder was 0.11 percent after she had consumed cocaine and marijuana.

She and her boyfriend got into an argument that night — he left on a motorcycle and Howell chased him for miles at high speed near Piner High School.

witnesses testified during Howell’s trial he pumped his fist, yelled “yee-haw” at the Acura’s window, and held his hand in the shape of a gun during the chase.

The chase ended on Hall Road after Howell crashed into the back of Garcia’s convertible.

Garcia’s car overturned and he was trapped as it was engulfed in flames. He died at the scene after suffering “injuries caused by the fire”, according to the Prosecutor’s Office.

You can contact writer Colin Atagi at [email protected]. On Twitter @colin_atagi