Ron Matthias has this op-ed in the California Globe with the above title. The subtitle is If it were up to Newsom, the public would learn nothing more about those prisoners and their claimed rehabilitation. Here is the first paragraph:
Gov. Gavin Newsom is big on demanding transparency and accountability from others, such as school officials and social media companies. But from himself, not so much—and especially not when it comes to using his clemency powers to engineer the future release of recidivist criminals, including some who’ve been convicted of murders so heinous they’re not even eligible for parole.
In the federal government, the President’s power of clemency is unlimited, following the English tradition of the unlimited clemency power of the king. Many states, however, have found it prudent to place some checks on the clemency power, or even relocate it altogether.
In California, the check is in Article V, section 8 of the Constitution: “The Governor may not grant a pardon or commutation to a person twice convicted of a felony except on recommendation of the Supreme Court, 4 judges concurring.” As there are seven justices, that is a majority.
This process should bring the clemency of repeat felons into the sunshine for the public see what the Governor is doing and why. However, Governor Newsom routinely submits his request as sealed records, and they will only be unsealed if someone makes a motion to do so. See Matthias’s article for additional information.
The post Under the Radar: How Gov. Newsom Uses Clemency to Engineer Parole for Recidivist Felons and Murderers appeared first on Crime & Consequences.
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John Fudenberg 