Newsom Grants More Pardons and Commutes More Sentences of Violent Offenders

Fox News published an article yesterday by the Associated Press discussing the latest acts of clemency and commuted sentences as of Friday by Gov. Gavin Newsom. The most recent commuted life sentence is for a woman who was convicted of murder, she allegedly killed her stepfather. According to Newsom’s statement in the article, “[She] has worked hard to better herself by earning an associate degree, a business certificate and participating in extensive self-help programming”. Due to the decision made by Newsom, she is now eligible for immediate release on parole, regardless of her sentence of 25 years to life in Alameda County in 1992. This is just one of many sentences that Newsom has commuted. 

According to the article, “The commutation was one of 20 acts of clemency Newsom signed Friday, including nine pardons and 10 medical reprieves, all relating to the coronavirus.” The article goes on to list these acts of clemency. The take away point here, is there are many offenders who are being released as what could be said is a misuse of the power given to Newsom as the governor under the California constitution. Some of these commutes and pardons are for violent crimes committed by offenders who could likely still pose a treat to the communities they are being released back to. The question is what safe guards are being implemented to ensure the safety of the residents of these communities? Parole supervision is not an ‘end all’ to keep people safe when violent offenders are being released early.