Gov. Tony Evers today commuted the sentences of 14 people, including 10 who had been convicted of homicide.
Of those, the governor ordered one woman serving a 30-year sentence for burglary to be immediately released. The others had their sentences shortened with one woman who has served 32 years of a murder conviction and is now eligible for parole as of this month.
Evers didn’t comment on the move in the release announcing the commutations.
Retiring GOP Sen. Van Waggaard, a former police officer who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, ripped the move in a statement.
“The arrogance of Governor Evers to overrule judges, district Attorneys and victims is absurd,” the Racine Republican said. “‘No Kings?’ Like Hell. This is the even more king-like than raising taxes for four hundred years.”
Along with the 10 people convicted of homicide, the other four were in prison for offenses related to drugs, robbery, burglary and arson.
That includes Amanda Weaver, the one prisoner Evers ordered released. She was convicted of five counts of burglary and sentenced to 30 years in prison. According to the governor’s office, the others involved in the crime were sentenced to no more than three years of confinement, and the prosecution and defense recommended five years in prison for Weaver.
She was sentenced to 30 years with 20 years of extended supervision. Along with her release, Weaver will spend two years on extended supervision.
Of the 10 homicide sentences that Evers shortened, seven people were teenagers when they were charged. Five of those were younger than 18 at the time.
See the list of people whose sentences Evers commuted.
See more in today’s PM Update.