Case questions Washington's clemency process after governor rejects board's recommendation

Sixteen years after killing a man in Thurston County's Capitol Forest, Christopher Havens remains behind bars despite a unanimous recommendation for early release from Washington state's Clemency and Pardons Board. The case has become a flashpoint in a growing debate over how Washington evaluates rehabilitation, redemption, and public safety, and what role the state's clemency board ultimately plays when its recommendations are rejected by the governor. "I shot, and I killed Brandon Robinson and ended his life's potential," Havens bluntly told board members during a September clemency hearing, fighting back tears. Havens has spent the last 16 years in prison serving a sentence for second-degree murder. During a two-hour hearing last fall, he acknowledged the devastating impact of his crime while asking the board to consider the person he has become since entering prison. Board members, including former Seattle Seahawk Doug Baldwin, heard testimony describing a dramatic transformation during his incarceration. Havens founded the Prison Mathematics Project, which connects incarcerated people with educational opportunities, and eventually became a staff research associate for UCLA despite remaining behind bars. Baldwin, the former Seattle Seahawks star, joined the rest of the board in voting 5-0 to recommend commutation. -------------------------------------------------- For more on the story: https://komonews.com/news/local/case-raises-questions-about-washingtons-clemency-process-after-gov-rejects-recommendation-bob-ferguson-doug-baldwin-christopher-havens-criminal-rehabilitation _______________ Stay up to date with our social media: https://www.facebook.com/KOMONews/ https://twitter.com/komonews http://instagram.com/komo4 https://www.tiktok.com/@komo4seattle Download our iOS App: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/komo-news-mobile/id433508161?mt=8 Download our Android App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.newssynergy.komo&hl=en Have a news tip? Send it directly to us: Email us: [email protected] Call the Newsroom: 206.404.4000 KOMO News (ABC 4) provides the latest breaking news, sports, weather, traffic, and local event coverage in the Seattle and Western Washington/Puget Sound area, including Bellevue, Redmond, Renton, Kent, Tacoma, Bellingham, Yakima, and surrounding communities. Chris Daniels This video and all Sinclair Broadcast Group content archives of local news and sports coverage are available for your use. For more information, contact us at [email protected] #komo #komonews #komo4 #komo4news #seattle #seattlenews #washingtonnews