SACRAMENTO, California (AP) – Governor Gavin Newsom, California, has overturned the life sentence of a woman convicted of the murder of her stepfather in 1989, making her immediately eligible for parole.
Teresa Paulinkonis (57) has been in prison for 31 years. She was sentenced in 1992 to 25 years in prison for murder in Alameda County. In an order of her sentencing signed by Newsom on Friday, the governor says Paulinkonis “worked hard to improve herself” by obtaining a fellow degree, a business certificate and “participating in extensive self-help programming” .
In the order, it was noted that four corrections praised Paulinkonis for ‘her positive attitude and her willingness to help others’.
The commutation was one of 20 acts of mercy Newsom signed Friday, including nine pardons and ten medical orders, all related to the coronavirus. Newsom has now issued a total of 72 waivers, 79 commutations and 20 medical recoveries since taking office in 2019.
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The California Constitution gives the governor the power to grant mercy. A commute reduces the length of a prison sentence. A pardon would do the same, but it also restores certain civil rights for people who have already completed their sentences.
A medical postponement moves medically vulnerable people out of jail to serve their sentences in the community under the supervision of parole officers.
California Gavin Newsom gestures in front of local officials as he talks about COVID-19 vaccines at the Fresno Fairgrounds, Wednesday, February 10, 2021, in Fresno, California (John Walker / The Fresno Bee via AP)
Newsom’s waiver included:
Jimmy Cha was sentenced in 1996 to five years in prison for threatening four people with a gun in a restaurant parking lot and punching two of them.
Josephine Edu, sentenced to seven years in prison for a fight with her boss in 1996 and cut her with a piece of glass.
Alexander Galuz, sentenced to three years probation and one year in prison for a conviction in 2001 for possessing a controlled substance for sale.
Marco Gomez, who was sentenced to five years in prison in 1998 after shooting someone following an altercation at an intersection.
Steven Husong, who was sentenced in 2014 to five years in prison and 32 days in prison for extortion.
Robert Hutton, who was sentenced to four years in prison and 90 days in prison in 1985 for possessing a controlled substance for sale.
Ian Jerde, who was sentenced to three years in prison and one year in prison in 1993 after being convicted of conspiracy to commit a crime.
Robert Thies, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison for a 1988 conviction for manufacturing, transporting and possessing a controlled substance; possession of a controlled substance for sale; and conspiracy to commit a crime and obstruct justice.
Paul Williams, who was sentenced in 1987 to three years in prison and 150 days in prison for transporting or selling a controlled substance.
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Newsom’s medical information contains:
Leland Amos, 68, was sentenced to 36 years in prison for burglary as a third strike.
Douglas Aubineau, 63, was sentenced to 108 years in prison for three counts of robbery as a third strike and carrying a dirk or dagger as a third strike.
Rickie Blue-Sky, 75, sentenced to 27 years in prison for murder.
Gabriel Camarena, 63, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for robbery as a third strike.
Ronald Carter, 56, was sentenced to 42 years in prison for carjacking as a third strike.
Jeffrey Cole, 66, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for robbery as a third strike.
The 77-year-old Melvin Collins was sentenced as the third strike to 36 years in prison for housebreaking.
Steven Franklin, 68, has been sentenced to 70 years in prison for two counts of robbery as a third strike.
Estentio Marigny (59) was sentenced to 41 years in prison for robbery as a third strike.
Timothy Rodriguez, 67, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for possession of a controlled drug that was on sale as a third strike.