California Gov. Newsom Commutes Sentences For 12 Convicted Murderers

Gov. Gavin Newsom granted commutations to 12 convicted murderers on Friday, many of whom were serving life sentences.

Sacramento, CA – California Governor Gavin Newsom granted commutations to 12 convicted murderers on Friday, many of whom were serving life sentences without the possibility of parole.

He also commuted the sentences of nine other imprisoned violent offenders.

“The California Constitution gives the Governor the authority to grant clemency, including in the form of a commutation. A clemency grant recognizes a person’s efforts in self-development, rehabilitation and prospects for successful community reentry,” Newsom’s office said in a statement.

“The Governor weighs numerous factors in his review of clemency applications, including an applicant’s self-development and conduct since the offense, whether the grant is consistent with public safety and in the interests of justice and the impact of a grant on the community,” according to the statement.

Allen Burnett was 18 years old when he and two accomplices carjacked Joseph Kondrath in 1992, according to his clemency certificate. Kondrath was fatally shot by one of the co-defendants during the attack.

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