Posted on 12/23/2004 10:26:30 AM PST by NormsRevenge
SACRAMENTO – Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger pardoned three men Wednesday who were convicted of drug charges in the 1970s, marking the first state pardons in the past six years.
The actions mark a turnaround from the policy of Gov. Gray Davis, who never pardoned a convict during his 4½ years in office. Schwarzenegger has also been more aggressive than his predecessor at paroling convicted murderers and kidnappers, freeing dozens in his first year in office compared to the eight life-term inmates Davis paroled.
The governor's office said in a statement that all three pardoned men, who are each 53 years old now, had committed nonviolent crimes and rebounded by contributing to their communities.
The following men were pardoned by Schwarzenegger:
–James Brown, of Arvada, Colo., was convicted of burglary and driving under the influence of drugs in Riverside County in 1971 when he was 19. Brown served nearly five months in a treatment program and has been a drug counselor, a community volunteer and college professor since being paroled more than 31 years ago.
–Antonio Garcia of Hacienda Heights was convicted of selling drugs in Los Angeles County in 1978 when he was 26. Garcia served about 20 months on probation and completed drug treatment. After completing probation more than 24 years ago, he has served 20 years on the board of directors for a drug treatment program and as a lawyer has served on court committees related to juvenile dependency.
–Alec Webster of Santa Cruz was convicted of possessing marijuana and another count of transportation or sale of a drug in Santa Cruz County in 1975 when he was 24. After serving nearly three years on probation, he has spent more than 20 years giving his time and money to his community.
The last pardon in the state was by Davis' predecessor, Gov. Pete Wilson in 1998.
The number of pardons issued by the previous five California governors declined through Davis' term. Wilson pardoned 13 convicts; Gov. George Deukmejian pardoned 328; Gov. Jerry Brown pardoned 403 and Gov. Ronald Reagan pardoned 575, the governor's office said.
These look like good pardons. Their purpose is to hold out hope that there is redemption for all who seek it.
These particular ones do look fine. I congratulate them for their service and life changes.
Makes ya wonder what the hell Davi$ was doing instead of being a Governor to all the citizens of California, whether incarcerated at one time or another, or not.
For some type of supposed action Hero he looks more like a real life mafia paid off politician to me.
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