BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- Michael Todd Panella murdered a toddler 25 years ago, inflicting injuries that left the boy with dozens of bruises to his hips, head, face and extremities, as well as “extreme trauma” to his small bowel. This week, Panella is expected to become a free man. 17 News' Jenny Huh will have more on this story -- including an interview with the slain child's mother. Granted parole late in 2024, Panella, 54, is set to be released as early as Wednesday. He's being held at the Correctional Training Facility in Soledad, where he's been serving 25 years to life in prison. His release was previously blocked by Gov. Gavin Newsom when granted parole in 2021. This time the governor won't intervene. Panella became eligible for elderly parole as a result of amendments passed by the state legislature in 2020 that reduced requirements for inmates who were at least 50 and had served 20 years of their sentence. Bakersfield police search for 15-year-old last seen on Efada Drive Previously, the law required inmates to be at least 60 and serve a minimum of 25 years of their sentence. The murdered child, Johnathan, was the 20-month-old son of Tammy Bell, whom Panella dated for a few months. Prosecutors said the child's injuries indicated multiple instances of abuse, and were inflicted over at least a week. Evidence was presented at trial that Panella disagreed with Bell on how to discipline her older son, Alex, who was 5 at the time. It also was alleged Panella was angry with Bell because she let Johnathan sleep with them. Bell had packed her bags and was planning to move out the day before Johnathan’s death. At trial, a jailhouse informant testified Panella said he was going to get away with murder “just like O.J. Simpson.” Another informant testified hearing Panella say, “I killed the little bastard.” A jury in October 2000 found Panella guilty of first-degree murder and assault of a child under 8 resulting in death. ...read more read less