The Supreme Court today made public redacted versions of records submitted by Governor Gavin Newsom in support of his requests for the court’s permission to commute four life-without-parole sentences. The state constitution requires a governor to get an affirmative court recommendation before granting clemency to anyone who has been “twice convicted of a felony.”
The partial opening of the records follows motions to unseal filed by the San Bernardino’s District Attorney and by the Association of Deputy District Attorneys for Los Angeles County. Under a 2021 policy, but for the motions, the records would have remained completely confidential.
Related:
Why is secrecy the default on gubernatorial clemency recommendation requests?
