Governor Commutes Prison Sentence of Phillipsville Man

Today, Governor Gavin Newsom announced a number of pardons and commutations of prison sentences including one for Samuel Eldredge, formerly of Phillipsville, who shot and killed a man, Robert Bennett, in Humboldt County.

The commutation order said that Eldredge, who is now 61 and has been in prison for more than 25 years “maintained an exemplary disciplinary record while in prison.” He also worked as a tutor in the prison and was commended for his work ethic.

Below is the entire press release from the Governor of California and then the commutation order:

Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that he has granted five pardons and 21 commutations.

The California Constitution gives the Governor the authority to grant clemency, including in the form of a pardon or commutation. A clemency grant recognizes a person’s subsequent efforts in self-development. It does not forgive or minimize the harm caused by the crime.

A pardon may remove counterproductive barriers to employment and public service, restore civic rights and responsibilities, and prevent unjust collateral consequences of conviction, such as deportation and permanent family separation. A pardon does not expunge or erase a conviction.

The commutation grants will allow the inmates to go before the Board of Parole Hearings for a hearing at which the Parole Commissioners determine whether the inmate is suitable for release from prison.

These clemency grants were in progress before the COVID-19 crisis. In addition to the public safety and justice factors that the Governor normally considers when reviewing clemency cases, he also considered the public health impact of each grant, as well as each inmate’s individual health status and the suitability of their post-release plans, including housing.

The Governor regards clemency as an important part of the criminal justice system that can incentivize accountability and rehabilitation, increase public safety by removing counterproductive barriers to successful reentry, and correct unjust results in the legal system.

The Governor weighs numerous factors in his review of clemency applications, including an applicant’s self-development and conduct since the offense, whether the grant is consistent with public safety and in the interest of justice, and the impact of a grant on the community.

Copies of the gubernatorial clemency certificates announced today can be found here.

Additional information on executive clemency can be found here.