I do believe Grossman has to serve the 15 years before she is eligible for parole.
What is a life sentence with the possibility of parole? (Indeterminate Sentencing Law – ISL)
An example of a life sentence with the possibility of parole is when an offender is sentenced to serve a term of “15 years to life.”
Offenders serving life sentences with the possibility of parole are automatically eligible for a parole hearing typically 13 months prior to their Minimum Eligible Parole Date, or upon reaching the eligibility for the Youth Offender or Elderly Parole processes. Just because an Offender has been scheduled for a parole proceeding does not mean he or she will be released on parole. The Board of Parole Hearings (BPH) will determine whether offenders are suitable for parole. Offenders sentenced to life with the possibility of parole are not guaranteed parole and can be held in prison for life.
Overview A parole proceeding is a hearing to determine whether an offender is suitable for release to parole supervision. What is a life sentence with the
www.cdcr.ca.gov
Another source I found on Quora
You would have to serve a minimum of 15 years before being eligible for parole. It also means that you’d stay there for the rest of your life unless you were paroled.
Answer (1 of 5): It means you have to serve a minimum of 15 years in prison and only then can parole possibilities occur, such as having your first parole hearing. Most killers are denied parole repeatedly because of the “to life” indeterminate term. I know someone who was convicted of second-d...
www.quora.com
Wouldn't the sentence be 15 years instead of 15 years to life, if she could get parole earlier?