Governor commutes 6 murder sentences
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Jerry Brown commuted the sentences of six people convicted of murder and three others in prison for attempted murder or kidnapping, saying Friday that they showed remorse and great personal growth while incarcerated and thus deserved a second chance.
Among those whose sentences were reduced was Florence Anderson, a prostitute in 2001 when her pimp killed a man during a robbery she took part in. Anderson was convicted of first-degree murder and second-degree burglary in Humboldt County Superior Court and sentenced to 27 years in prison.
In her application for clemency, Anderson said she battled addiction and was a victim of abuse. While in prison, Anderson became a certified alcohol and drug counselor, taught abuse prevention courses and worked as a hospice volunteer for terminally ill inmates. Brown reduced her sentence to 16 years to life, for which she has served. She will now appear before the Board of Parole Hearings, whose panel will determine whether she should be released from prison.
“I do not discount the gravity of Ms. Anderson’s offense, but I also cannot overlook the violent abuse she endured and her limited role in this crime,” Brown wrote in his commutation.
Brown also reduced the sentence of Christopher Asay, who killed a man in 1987. Asay shot and killed a man who worked for an armored car service and stole $16,000 from the car. Asay was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole, having served 29 years. Now 55 years old, he asked for clemency, arguing “I know that I cannot change the past, but I can and have done everything in my power to repent and improve myself.”
While incarcerated, Asay earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees, worked as a reader for the blind and a correctional officer called him a “model inmate.” Brown reduced his sentence to 25 years to life.
Other inmates who had their sentences reduced were:
Hamid Bashir, who at 18 years old in 1998, was involved in a robbery where the store manager was killed by one of Bashir’s friends. Bashir was sentenced for second-degree murder and received 25 years to life. In prison, Bashir participated in educational programs and has a job offer from former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan. Brown reduced his sentence to 17 years and six months to life.
Paul Carrillo was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for a 1981 murder he committed with a friend. They killed a taxi driver with a 2x4 with nails while heavily intoxicated in order to drive the taxi for the night without paying. Carrillo, now 61, has served 36 years in prison, participated in self-help programs and was designated the Inmate Native American Spiritual Advisor at his prison. His sentence was reduced to 25 years to life.
Travielle Craig was sentenced in Los Angeles County to life without parole after he killed a man and injured another after hitting them in the head with a piece of wood when they refused to give him money. In his commutation, Brown noted that Craig had drastically changed his life in prison by getting an education, mentoring at-risk youth and being a Bible counselor. Craig has a job offer upon release and the support of his wife and family. His sentence was reduced to 25 years to life.
DeAngelo McVay was sentenced in Los Angeles County to life without the possibility of parole after helping in the kidnap-for-ransom of a man with whom he had a drugrelated dispute. After 19 years in prison, numerous prison officials commended McVay for being a “poster child for rehabilitation.” His sentence was reduced to 20 years to life.
John Rodriguez was sentenced to 22 years in prison in Los Angeles County for attempted murder after shooting a man outside a nightclub in 2009. Rodriguez, who was 17 years old at the time, received an education in prison and was praised by prison officials for his behavior and work ethic. His sentence was reduced to nine years.
Mary Stroder was convicted of first-degree murder in Kern County and sentenced to life without parole after her boyfriend killed a woman they were robbing. Stroder had a long history of being abused, including by the former boyfriend who committed the murder. In prison, Stroder participated in self-help and vocational programs and mentored other prisoners. Her sentence was reduced to 25 years to life.
Raul Zarate was sentenced to 16 years in prison for attempted murder in Los Angeles County after he shot two people in 2009. In prison, Zarate took part in self-help programs, earned his high school diploma and four associate degrees and is certified as a Braille transcriber. He was offered a full-time job after his release. His sentence was reduced to nine years.
“Mr. Zarate committed a serious crime, but he has done exactly what we ask of inmates — fully commit to rehabilitation and prepare for success upon release,” Brown wrote.
All of the inmates except Rodriguez and Zarate will have to appear before the Board of Parole Hearings, whose panel decides if the person is ready to be released from prison. Rodriguez and Zarate will be released in the coming days without a hearing.