In a marked departure from his predecessor, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has granted the release of a convicted murderer for the second time in a week.
The newly elected governor agreed to parole Rosario Munoz, a 51-year-old mother convicted in 1989 of killing her husband’s lover, the Associated Press reported. Former Gov. Gray Davis, who was recalled in October, twice rejected parole for Munoz during his five years in office.
Of the 294 paroles approved by the state’s Board of Prison Terms in murder cases, Davis blocked all but eight.
California is one of just three states that gives its governor the power to reject decisions made by the parole board.
The board said it approved parole for Munoz because she showed remorse for the killing, and evaluations indicated there was little chance she would offend again, according to the AP. Board spokesman Bill Sessa noted she raised money for the victim’s daughter by selling portraits.
Last Thursday, three days after taking office, Schwarzenegger granted parole to a Sacramento man convicted of a 1985 murder, the AP said. He also rejected the board’s decision to release a man convicted of killing a woman while driving drunk in 1986.
Schwarzenegger, who ousted Davis Oct. 8 with a landslide victory, reportedly retooled his campaign after getting off to a getting start with many Republican activists. He eventually was able to motivate the party faithful by emphasizing conservative themes, including getting rid of Davis’ car-tax increase, ending burdensome regulations on business, cutting waste, standing up to public-sector unions and not rewarding illegal aliens with driver’s licenses.
