DA gets sentence reduced
Two Yolo County men get out of jail early
Two Yolo County residents had their sentences reduced due to a 2019 California law.
AB 2942 allows district attorneys to recommend reducing the sentences of inmates. Prior to this law, district attorney’s had no ability to request a sentence reduction.
Gabriel Eugene and Andrew Arodoz both had their sentences reduced with the help of the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office Conviction Integrity Unit.
The Integrity Unit, the third of its kind in California, was formed in 2014 to address cases when new evidence suggested innocence but was later expanded to examine cases in which other factors justified an additional review. The CIU examines cases looking at factors such as the seriousness of the crime, rehabilitation in prison and the overall risk of reoffending if a person is released early.
Gabriel Eugene, a 26- year- old who grew up in Davis, was convicted of residential burglary on March 30, 2016. At the time he committed the crime, Eugene was on parole after recently being released from state prison on another burglary case. His prison sentence included a 5- year enhancement for having been previously convicted.
On Dec. 3, Eugene’s 14year sentence was reduced by five years after a motion was filed by the Integrity Unit and Eugene’s attorney, Steve Sabbadini of Woodland.
“Eugene had made significant life changes in prison, including full- time employment, education and extensive counseling,” stated Chief Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Raven.
Based on the passage of AB 2942, the Integrity Unit began a partnership with “For the People,” a nonprofit started by former San Francisco prosecutor, Hillary Blout. Blout drafted AB 2942.
Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig formed this partnership with “For the People” and King Hall
UC Davis Law School. Reisig asked professor Jack Chin to start a sentencing clinic course at the school so that students learn about basic sentencing law and review the files of inmates who are in state prison after being convicted in Yolo County.
Students, under the direction of Chin, make recommendations to the District Attorney’s Office as to which inmates should be considered for a reduced sentence.
“In the course, they have learned an enormous amount about the reality of crime on the streets, impact on victims, the sentencing process and life in prison,” Chin stated regarding his students. “We’ve seen how people can redeem themselves even after serious crimes, through work and
rehabilitation.”
Andrew Aradoz, a 27- year- old Woodland resident had his sentence shorted due to the UC Davis clinic. Aradoz pleaded no contest to attempted murder after a gang- related drive- by shooting in 2009, when he was 16. In October of that year, Aradoz was sentenced to 24- years- tolife in prison. The clinic submitted his sentenced to be reviewed in April, and the DA’s Office filed a motion for a re- hearing.
In the motion, Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney Melinda Aiello stated that Aradoz had no violations since 2016, finished his GED, renounced his gang membership and was on track to get in a college degree.
“We believe that Mr. Aradoz
can be a productive member of society and that further incarceration serves no purpose and is no longer in the interests of justice,” Aiello stated.
The court granted the motion on July 23 and Aradoz was released on July 29.
“Prison sentences should stand the test of time,” Reisig. “If a sentence doesn’t seem right years later, it is our obligation to the inmate, and the public, to take corrective action. Also, while keeping public safety in mind, we must be willing to review the prison files of those inmates who have made remarkable rehabilitative efforts, like Mr. Eugene and Mr. Aradoz.”
Eugene was the fifth person in the last year who has had their sentence reduced due to AB 2942.