California Governor Commutes Sentence, Grants 112 Pardons

(AP) - Gov. Jerry Brown has reduced the sentence of a man convicted of a 1999 gang shooting in Los Angeles County and granted pardons to 112 people.

The Democratic governor's action on Friday is in keeping with his practice of granting clemency around major Christian holidays.

Brown shaved 10 years off the prison term for Louis Calderon, who was involved in a gang shooting that caused a woman to lose her eye. Calderon received a sentence of 32 years to life. Brown's commutation speeds up his eligibility for parole.

Brown's pardons were granted to people whose sentences were completed more than a decade ago. Most were convicted of nonviolent drug offences.

A pardon does not erase a conviction, but law enforcement agencies are informed and the pardon becomes a public record.

Copies of all 112 pardons and commutations can be found here.