Richard Flowers, now 64 years old, is eligible for parole in the 1996 murder of elderly Tulare woman
SACRAMENTO – Convicted Tulare County murder Richard Flowers will have an opportunity to plead his case for parole thanks to Governor Gavin Newsom.
Last week Newsom announced 21 commutations. One of those was Flowers, 64, who had been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of 78-year-old Mary Garcia of Tulare during a burglary and robbery on Nov. 1, 1996.
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. 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.
Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward staunchly opposes Flowers’ commutation. In a press release on Monday, Ward said this is another example of taking decisions away from the community. He pointed to last year’s death penalty moratorium as the first example.
“Like Governor Newsom’s death penalty moratorium, we were informed of Mr. Flowers’ clemency through the news media. This is a deplorable action without any justification,” Ward said. “As I have said before, actions such as this are a travesty to victims, their families... (Read more)
Submitted 1452 days ago
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