Gov. Gavin Newsom has reduced the sentences of five people who were serving life without parole for murder, saying on Friday that they deserve a chance at freedom after changing their lives.
In total, the governor pardoned 23 people and shortened the sentences of 10 others. His office said many of these individuals had experienced childhood trauma or struggled with mental health, which affected the choices they made.
Since taking office in 2019, Newsom has granted 247 pardons, which restore some rights to former felons, like the ability to serve on a jury or get a professional license. He has also approved 160 commutations, which reduce sentences and allow inmates to go before a parole board and possibly be released.
This round of clemency included people convicted of assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, attempted murder, and drug crimes. Newsom’s office said pardons were based on what people had done since their convictions and were recommended by elected officials, law enforcement, and community leaders.
One person whose sentence was reduced is Randolph Hoag. He was 28 in 1990 when he was convicted in Los Angeles County of killing his girlfriend’s ex-husband. The Los Angeles Times reported that Hoag, a truck driver, shot Charles Sweed six times in the back before running away.
Newsom said Hoag, now 63, has “demonstrated a commitment to his rehabilitation and self-improvement” and is considered “a high medical risk based on his chronic, serious medical conditions.” Hoag can now appear before the Board of Parole hearings, which decides if someone is safe to return to the community after considering input from victims, families, and prosecutors.
“This act of clemency for Mr. Hoag does not minimize or forgive his conduct or the harm it caused,” Newsom wrote in his order. “It does recognize the work he has done since to transform himself.”
Sweed’s sister, Cremae Sweed, became emotional after learning from The Times that Hoag’s sentence was reduced. She said a prosecutor had assured her Hoag would never be released. Her brother, who had a 5-year-old daughter, served in the Marines and owned a tow truck company. She said her family was never the same after his death.
“My brother has been dead longer than he was alive, and [Hoag] is still alive,” she said. “He deliberately killed another man, so no, I don’t want him out, and he shouldn’t come out.”
Many people granted clemency Friday were young adults when they committed their crimes, including Christian Rodriguez, who was 19 when he killed one person and injured another in 1996. Rodriguez, now 47, will be eligible to appear before the parole board.
“Mr. Rodriguez has worked as both a youth offender and peer literacy mentor, and correctional officers have commended him for his leadership and rehabilitative gains,” Newsom wrote.
Others whose long sentences were reduced include:
- David Fitts, 23 when he shot and injured one person while his accomplice killed another in 1992. Sentenced to life without parole in Los Angeles County, Fitts, 56, has “dedicated himself to his rehabilitation” and received praise from correctional officers for his conduct.
- Karina Poncio, 21 when her accomplice killed one person and injured another during a gang-related confrontation in 2000. Sentenced to life without parole in Orange County, Poncio, 47, earned three associate degrees in prison and is training to become a certified alcohol and drug specialist.
- Cleveland Lindley, 25 when convicted of a 1995 armed robbery. Sentenced in San Bernardino County to 75 years to life plus another 30 years for sentence enhancements, Lindley, 55, participated in a service dog training program and was praised for his compassion, maturity, and work ethic.
- Arthur Battle, 18 when he and an accomplice murdered someone in a contract killing in 2006. Sentenced to life without parole plus a 25-years-to-life enhancement in Sacramento County, Newsom noted that Battle experienced childhood trauma.
Newsom’s office said Battle had adverse childhood experiences, a term used for traumatic events that can affect a person’s health and development. While in prison, Battle earned his GED, took college courses, and works as an aide to inmates with disabilities. He, 37, had his sentence reduced to 21 years to life so he can appear before the Board of Parole hearings.
