Does "life without parole" mean just that, or can the governor pardon or change the sentence? nt

[raccoon]

[DJ13]

1. I believe a governor can always commute a sentence

At the (severe) risk of a public backlash.

I may be wrong though.

[FarPoint]

2. Governor can comute

the sentence and or pardon a conviction/ inmate...to my knowledge. But...it could be political suicide.

[warrior1]

3. Here let me google that for you

http://tinyurl.com/2cneejp

[FiveGoodMen]

4. Here's the first thing you get if you do

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x9522814

[raccoon]

5. Thanks for that nifty link! nt

[dsc]

6. I think it depends

some states have put severe limits on the power of the governor to commute or pardon. Texas comes to mind. But in most states the governor can commute and pardon at will. It will be interesting to see if Strickland pulls a Celeste and commutes a bunch of death sentences to life.