Ex-Dem Oregon Governor Released Inmates Early; One Now Suspected in Deaths of Four Women.
Former Oregon Democratic Governor Kate Brown Grants Mass Commutations
During the COVID-19 pandemic, former Oregon Democratic Governor Kate Brown made a bold move by granting mass commutations to over 1,000 inmates. Little did she know that one of the men she granted clemency to would later become a person of interest in the shocking killings of four women in 2023.
A Troubling Turn of Events
The 38-year-old man, whose clemency has now been revoked, is currently in custody at Snake River Correctional Institution in Ontario. Interestingly, he is facing charges unrelated to the murders. When officers attempted to arrest this towering figure, standing at 6’4” and weighing 266 pounds, he even tried to escape by swimming away in the Willamette River. According to Willamette Week, the attorney who had been representing him is no longer doing so.
A Conditional Commutation Gone Wrong
A Troubled Past
A Controversial Decision
Governor Brown’s decision to reduce the sentences of this man and around 40 other inmates came after they had served alongside other inmates fighting wildfires. However, little did she know the consequences that would follow.
A String of Gruesome Discoveries
On June 1, 2023, The Oregonian reported the discovery of six young women’s bodies since mid-February. The victims included Kristin Smith, Joanna Speaks, Charity Perry, an unidentified woman, Bridget Webster, and Ashley Real. These horrifying events sent shockwaves through the community.
Reflections on the Tragedy
Governor Brown expressed her deep sorrow for the victims, their families, and all those affected by these devastating losses. She stated, “I’m absolutely horrified for the victims, their families, and all those who have experienced this loss.”
A Governor’s Commitment to Justice
Governor Brown, who spoke at Princeton University as part of a December 2022 panel titled, “Correcting Injustice: How Clemency Serves Justice and Strengthens Communities,” has been a trailblazer in her approach to criminal justice reform. She reduced the sentences of 912 nonviolent inmates at risk of contracting COVID and granted 130 pardons. Her efforts have been recognized and praised by many, including Princeton professor and former ACLU activist Udi Ofer, who boasted about her accomplishments.
A Call for Change
Governor Brown firmly believes that our criminal justice system is flawed, inequitable, and outdated. She sees the use of executive power to grant clemency as an act of mercy and a powerful tool to correct injustices in her state and the country as a whole. Her commitment to reform remains unwavering.
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