Gov. Newsom issues pardons; commutes murder sentence

SACRAMENTO — California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday commuted the life sentence of a woman convicted of killing her stepfather in 1989, making her immediately eligible for release on parole.

Teresa Paulinkonis, 57, has been in prison for 31 years. She was sentenced to 25 years to life for murder in 1992 in Alameda County. In an order commuting her sentence that Newsom signed Friday, the governor says Paulinkonis “has worked hard to better herself” by earning an associate degree, a business certificate and participating “in extensive self-help programming.”

The order noted four corrections workers praised Paulinkonis for “her positive attitude and her willingness to help others.”

The commutation was one of 20 acts of clemency Newsom signed Friday, including nine pardons and 10 medical reprieves, all relating to the coronavirus. Newsom has now issued a total of 72 pardons, 79 commutations and 20 medical reprieves since taking office in 2019.

The state Constitution gives the governor authority to grant clemency. A commutation reduces the length of a prison sentence. A pardon would effectively do the same, but it also restores certain civil rights for people who have already completed their sentences.

A medical reprieve temporarily moves medically vulnerable people out of prison to serve their sentences in the community under the supervision of parole officers.