SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced Tuesday that she is commuting the sentences of the 17 inmates in Oregon who were sentenced to death, ordering each to spend life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Brown, who has less than a month remaining in office, said she is using her executive clemency powers to commute the sentences and that her order will take effect on Wednesday.
“I have long believed that justice is not advanced by taking a life, and the state should not be in the business of executing people - even if a terrible crime placed them in prison,” Brown said in a statement.