Families Of Murder Victims OUTRAGED After 44 Murderers Have Sentences Commuted In THIS State...

Critics of the commutation surge argue that the policy shift "re-victimizes" families who accept plea bargains to avoid the emotional and mental toll of a lengthy trial. Audrey Carlson, who lost her daughter Elizabeth to murder over two decades ago, joined "Fox & Friends First" to discuss her concerns over the policy and why the commutations are "outrageous."

According to Fox 61, the board attributes the commutation spike to the pandemic. Commutation applications were halted over COVID, leading to a massive influx of applicants when the process resumed in 2021. Since the resumption of the process, the board has commuted the sentences of 97 criminals and denied almost 300 of the 400 applications received.

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March 14, 2023

However, State Sen. Heather Somers, R., accused the board of acting "in the dark" to reduce criminal sentences after the policy shift post-pandemic. She noted that the rule allows anyone, regardless of the crime, to come before three "unelected" members on the state's Board of Pardons and Paroles to reduce their sentences, which overrides plea deals and judges. She warned that criminals convicted of rape, murder, and other heinous acts could seek commutation.

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"We are committed to making this stop," she said. "They are coming in front of this board of three, and unknown to us as legislators, they are shaving decades, not a few years, decades off of these sentences."

The families of crime victims feel that Connecticut has turned its back on them by allowing these commutations. Carlson stated that "Connecticut has turned its back on all the victims and survivors who have taken these plea deals." The board consists of members nominated by the governor, and they have sole authority to grant pardons and commute some sentences.

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Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont issued a statement expressing his concern amid growing calls to overhaul the policy. He stated that "given the substantial progress the Board already has made in hearing commutation cases, it’s time to step back and see how the policy is working." He emphasized the importance of involving the General Assembly and stakeholders, especially victims, in the process.

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The families of crime victims are urging Governor Lamont to take action against the commutations and halt the process so that legislators can evaluate the implications. The seriousness of the topic demands a careful approach that involves victims and their families. "They need to do what's right and ethical and moral," Carlson emphasized.