Governor Gavin Newsom today asked the Supreme Court to allow him to commute the sentences of eight people.  The court’s recommendations are constitutionally required because the eight have been “twice convicted of a felony.”

The court has approved 13 of Newsom’s prior requests (see here) and denied none, which is a considerably better record than for former Governor Jerry Brown, who had the court block 10 intended clemency grants.

There are now 15 Newsom clemency requests pending, two of them for over four months.  (See here, here, here, and here.)

The clemency candidates, and the publicly available information Newsom submitted about their criminal records, are:

George Hughes — the Governor wants to commute a life-without-parole sentence for a 1982 conviction of first degree murder, three counts of robbery, and other charges.  Hughes has two prior felony convictions for burglary.  The commutation would make Hughes eligible for a parole suitability hearing.

Carlos Guerrero — the Governor wants to commute a 27-years-to-life sentence for a 2008 conviction of attempted murder and other charges.  Guerrero also has a 2005 felony conviction for possession of a controlled substance for sale.  The commutation would make Guerrero eligible for an earlier parole suitability hearing.

Gregory Fletcher — the Governor wants to commute a 68-years-to-life sentence for a 2003 conviction of robbery as a third strike and attempted robbery as a third strike.  Fletcher has six prior felony convictions for attempted grand theft, armed robbery, selling a controlled substance, robbery, and attempted robbery.  The commutation would make Fletcher eligible for an earlier parole suitability hearing.

Jose Barajas:  the Governor wants to commute a sentence of 42 years and four months to life for a 1998 conviction of two counts of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and grand theft.  Barajas has prior felony convictions for grand theft.  The commutation would make Barajas eligible for an earlier parole suitability hearing.

Larry Garcia:  the Governor wants to commute a life-without-parole sentence for a 1988 first degree murder conviction.  Garcia has two prior felony convictions for robbery.  The commutation would make Garcia eligible for a parole suitability hearing.

Omar Walker:  the Governor wants to commute a life-without-parole sentence for a 1997 conviction of first degree murder and robbery.  Walker has a prior felony conviction for selling marijuana.  The commutation would make Walker eligible for a parole suitability hearing.

Tracey Pabon:  the Governor wants to commute a 50-years-to-life sentence for a 1994 conviction of two counts of robbery as a third strike.  Pabon has prior felony convictions for armed robbery and robbery.  The commutation would make Pabon eligible for an earlier parole suitability hearing.

Tyrone Haymond:  the Governor wants to commute a life-without-parole sentence for a 1979 conviction of kidnapping for ransom resulting in bodily harm.  Haymond has prior felony convictions for selling narcotics, violating federal narcotics laws, and forgery.  The commutation would make Haymond eligible for a parole suitability hearing.

Related:

“Sanctions sought against governor over redacted clemency records”

Why is secrecy the default on gubernatorial clemency recommendation requests?