Wisconsin commutation board meets for first time in 25 years

MADISON, Wis. (Gray) - The Governor’s Commutation Advisory Board met Friday for the first time in 25 years, reviewing 12 cases of incarcerated Wisconsinites asking to have their prison sentences shortened.

More than 800 incarcerated Wisconsinites applied to have their sentences reviewed. Of the 12 cases heard, half involved people convicted of murder. The board will send recommendations to Gov. Evers, who has the final decision on whether to grant a commutation.

More than 25 years ago, Daniel Cerney was convicted of two counts of first-degree intentional homicide, at age 17, for the murder of a Monroe County man and the man’s 85-year-old mother.

“I shot William Leis and I take full responsibility for my actions,” Cerney said during the hearing. “I can never express how sorry I truly am. Every choice and decision I made that day, that night changed many lives, even my own family’s, and I never thought of any of that.”

If granted, commutations could shorten a sentence or change a prison sentence to parole. Not everyone who applied is eligible for a commutation, and no immediate decisions were made at Friday’s meeting.

In response to the hearing, U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, the Republican candidate for Wisconsin governor, said he would end the Board under his administration.

“The fact that six convicted murderers are among those being considered for early release by Governor Evers only reinforces my concerns with this board,” Tiffany said.

Meanwhile, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, the Democratic candidate for Wisconsin governor, said he would continue the commutation process, but with a caveat.

“I want to be clear: I will not support commutations or pardons for anyone previously convicted of murder or other violent crimes,” Crowley said.

The list of applicants for commutations granted a hearing on Friday include:

• Sharif Green
• Mighty Howell
• Aaron Smith
• Natalie Murphy
• Sammy Cole
• Michael Maldonado
• Christopher Sutton
• Daniel Cerney
• Amanda Weaver
• Demian McDermott
• Lawrence Northern
• Sabir Wilcher

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