Commutation board to hear 12 cases Friday as Republicans raise transparency concerns
MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) — For the first time in 25 years, people convicted of crimes and currently serving time in Wisconsin could have their sentences shortened through the state's restored commutation process.
Several of the people who will plead their cases to the Governor's Commutation Advisory Board on Friday were convicted of homicide, including some who were juveniles at the time of their crimes.
Earlier this year, Gov. Tony Evers announced he was reinstating the state's commutation process. Some view the move as giving people who have served decades behind bars and demonstrated rehabilitation a second chance, but not everyone supports the decision.
That includes state Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, who said he believes the process has lacked transparency.
Wanggaard filed an open records request with Evers' office May 19 seeking all commutation applications. On Tuesday, Evers' office provided Wanggaard with a list showing more than 800 people have applied to have their sentences reduced.
"The people who prosecuted and heard these cases oppose the commutations nearly unanimously," Wanggaard said. "Now, Governor Evers is using hand-picked, unelected bureaucrats to second guess the people actually involved in the case to overturn their sentences years later! That should upset everyone in Wisconsin."
U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, the Republican nominee for governor, has said he would rescind the executive orders that allow the board to operate if elected.
CBS 58 reached out to Tiffany for comment on Friday's board meeting. While he was unavailable for an on-camera interview, his campaign sent the following statement:
"I will rescind the executive orders that allow murderers, including those serving life sentences, to be released back into the community after just 20 years. I am making a commitment to the people of Wisconsin that, as governor, I will not release violent criminals early and will ensure victims and their families receive the full measure of justice. We will end the soft-on-crime board that overrides the justice system and gives violent criminals another avenue for early release. The fact that six convicted murderers are among those being considered for early release by Governor Evers only reinforces my concerns with this board," Tiffany said.
Organizations like WISDOM, a statewide network of faith-based organizations, believe people are capable of rehabilitation regardless of the crime they committed. The organization hopes the restored commutation process is a step toward broader criminal justice reform.
"Everyone has the potential to contribute greatly to society, and we have seen it," said Mark Rice, transformational justice campaign coordinator at WISDOM. "We know several people who have been convicted of homicides who are out in the community now and are doing some of the best work in the community."
Several of the people seeking commutations Friday were convicted of violent crimes when they were teenagers.
Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Crowley said commutation requests should be handled on a case-by-case basis.
"When I think about commutations, it is about each individual, not just having a blanket assumption about who has been within our care within the prison system," Crowley said.
WISDOM advocates say they believe 20 years behind bars can be enough for some people convicted of homicide, particularly those who committed crimes as juveniles, and that each person's rehabilitation should be considered.
"We used to release people as soon as 12 and a half or 13 years, then we went to 20 or 25, and some of the people we are advocating for didn't do anything worse than their predecessors, but they got a sentence of 70 years," WISDOM volunteer Sherry Reames said.
Those seeking a commutation must meet eligibility requirements listed on the state's website.
CBS 58 reached out to the governor's office for details on when the individuals could have their sentences commuted and what the timeline would look like but did not receive a response.
The board will hold two sessions Friday.
From 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., the board is scheduled to hear from:
- Sharif Green
- Mighty Howell
- Aaron Smith
- Natalie Murphy
- Sammy Cole
- Michael Maldonado
- Christopher Sutton (Smith)
- Daniel Cerney
From 1 to 2:30 p.m., the board is scheduled to hear from:
- Amanda Weaver
- Demian McDermott
- Lawrence Northern
- Sabir Wilcher
To watch Friday's hearing, click here.