Newsom Offers Clemency To 5 Inmates Serving Life Without Parole For Murder

Gov. Gavin Newsom has commuted the sentences of 10 inmates, including five who are serving life in prison without parole due to murder convictions.

In total, Newsom granted 23 pardons and 10 commutations on Friday, stating many of the prisoners who received clemency suffered from adverse childhood experiences and trauma as well as mental health symptoms, according to a news release from Newsom's office.

"Without the type of treatment or resources that are increasingly available today, these experiences had a disproportionate effect on their lives and choices," according to the statement from Newsom's office. "Since then, these individuals have taken accountability for the harm they caused, transformed their lives, and used their experiences to serve their communities."

While in office, Newsom has granted a total of 247 pardons and 160 commutations. A pardon can restore some civic rights for individuals who have been convicted of crimes in California and can remove some barriers to employment and public service, as well as restore civic rights and responsibilities.

Commutations can reduce the length of sentences and allow prisoners to appear before a parole board, where they will be considered as either eligible or ineligible for an early release.

Among the sentences granted commutations this week are:

• Randolph Hoag, 63, was convicted in 1990 of fatally shooting his girlfriend's ex-husband, the LA Times is reporting. At the time, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for murder. While in prison, Hoag has "demonstrated a commitment to his rehabilitation and self-improvement," according to Newsom. He is currently working as an aide and helps incarcerated people with disabilities.
• Karina Poncio, 47, was 21 years old when she fatally shot one person and injured a second person in a gang-related confrontation. In 2003, she was sentenced to life without parole for murder. Pancio has taken part in extensive self-help programming, completed vocational training and earned three associate's degrees. She is currently training to become a certified drug and alcohol specialist.
• David Fitts, 56, was 23 years old when he shot and injured one person while his accomplice in an attempted robbery fatally shot a different person. Fitts was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for murder as well as additional prison time on convictions for attempted voluntary manslaughter and attempted robbery. While in prison, he has participated in self-help programming and maintained in "excellent work history," according to Newsom. He lived in an honor yard for several years and received commendations from correctional officers and staff for his work ethic.
• Arthur Battle, 37, was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for murder for working with a partner to fatally shoot a person as part of a contract killing. Battle was 18 years old at the time of his conviction. While in prison, Battle has earned his GED and taken college courses and currently work as an aide helping incarcerated people with disabilities, Newsom said.
• Christian Rodriguez, 47, was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for murder for fatally shooting one person and injuring a second during an attempted robbery. He was 19 years old at the time of the crime and, while in prison, has taken part in extensive self-help programming and earned multiple associates degrees. He's also worked as youth offender and peer literacy mentor.

You can read all 23 pardons issued on Friday here, and all 10 commutations issued here.

A "clemency grant recognizes the grantee’s self-development and accountability after conviction," Newsom said. Correctional staff, teachers and community and religious leaders, as well as state courts, recommend those they think should be considered for clemency.

"The Governor weighs numerous factors in his review of clemency applications, including an applicant’s self-development and conduct since the offense, if the grant is consistent with public safety, and the impact of a grant on the community, including crime victims and survivors," Newsom said. "Clemency does not forgive or minimize the harm they caused."