5 CA Veterans Pardoned By Gov. Gavin Newsom

CALIFORNIA — In honor of Veterans Day, Gov. Gavin Newsom pardoned five Californians who served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

A sixth veteran, who died 30 years ago, may also receive clemency posthumously.

The California Constitution allows the governor to pardon or grant clemency to convicted criminals to retroactively correct "unjust results in the legal system." Pardons can also address the health needs of inmates with high medical risk and remove barriers to reentry, the state said.

A clemency does not, however, "forgive" or erase the crime committed.

Newsom granted clemency to five veterans on Monday, who were able to prove that they have been living an "upright" life.

Here are the veterans who were pardoned:

• Don Archibald, a U.S. Army veteran, was sentenced to five years to life in prison for first-degree robbery in 1966 by Los Angeles County when he was 20 years old. In 2010, Archibald was granted a certificate of rehabilitation.
• Marcus Page, who was a U.S. Marine, served three days years of probation and 240 days in jail for the transport of a controlled substance. He was sentenced in 1994 by San Diego County.
• Robert Teagle, who served in the U.S. Army, was sentenced in 1981 to three years of probation and 69 days in jail for the sale of a controlled substance in San Bernardino County.
• Brian Tinney, who served in the U.S. Navy, was sentenced in 1994 by San Diego County to five years of probation and 90 days in jail for grand theft of property. In 1996, his probation was revoked and he was sentenced to two years in prison for the crime of felon or addict in possession of a firearm.
• Alex Zonn, who served in the U.S. Air Force, was sentenced by Ventura County to three years of probation and 60 days in jail in 1970 for selling marijuana.

The sixth pardon, which was a posthumous one, was initated for Sgt. Richard Allen Penry, who received a Medal of Honor from President Richard Nixon for “extraordinary heroism at the risk of his own life.”

He died in Petaluma in 1994.

"Sergeant Penry returned from active duty at a time when there were few resources for veterans and little understanding of PTSD. He struggled with reentry to civilian life and self-medicated through substance use, which was the context for his drug-related convictions," according to a statement from Newsom's office.

Since Penry had more than one felony conviction, Newsom cannot grant a pardon without the approval of the California Supreme Court, the governor's office said.