Florence Laurel Anderson, a prostitute convicted in Humboldt County of murder alongside her abusive pimp, was among the nine inmates serving time for violent crimes commuted Friday by California Gov. Jerry Brown.
According to the commutation, in April 2001 Anderson went to the motel room of Bruce James with her pimp Michael Lane who intended to rob him. Lane stabbed James to death, and he, Anderson and two others made off with $49, credit cards, jewelry and clothing.
On July 3, 2002, Anderson was sentenced to 25 years to life for first-degree murder plus two years for second-degree burglary.
According to Brown, an investigation that included an interview with Lane found “overwhelming” evidence that Anderson was suffering from Intimate Partner Battery at the time of her crime.
“After things went downhill, I threatened her and told her she couldn’t say anything. She didn’t come forward because of me and my threats,” Lane said, according to Brown. “… She was afraid of me. Actually she was terrified of me … she didn’t do anything. … She doesn’t deserve all this time.”
According to Brown, in her 16 years of incarceration, Anderson has been certified as an alcohol and drug counselor and has an internship to continue this work upon her release. She also works as a hospice volunteer for terminally ill inmates and has been housed in the “honor dorm” for several years.
Brown cited Anderson’s “limited role” in the murder, her past abuse and work inside prison as reasons to let her appear before the California Board of Parole Hearings earlier than originally scheduled.
Brown wrote that Humboldt County District Attorney Maggie Fleming has written to oppose clemency and “takes the position that there is nothing ‘exceptional’ about this case. He added that a former Humboldt County district attorney said he “found it was very plausible that [Anderson] was truly a victim of domestic violence and that her involvement in the crime was due to that fact.”
Including Anderson, seven of the nine inmates must still persuade state parole authorities they are fit for release.
Brown has granted 18 applications to shorten prison sentences since he returned to office in January 2011.
The governor’s office says inmates who display exemplary behavior can ask the governor to reduce their prison sentences.
Christopher Edwin Asay
Asay was convicted of first-degree murder in San Bernardino County for fatally shooting and robbing a courier in 1987. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Brown said Asay earned college degrees while in prison. Brown said Asay works as reader for the blind and has the support of members of the Mormon Church.Asay is now eligible for parole.
Hamid Basil Bashir
Bashir was sentenced to 25 years to life in 2002 for second-degree murder in Los Angeles. In 1998, when Bashir was 18, he and a group of friends robbed a store. One of Bashir’s friends fatally shot the manager.
Brown cited Bashir’s “deep remorse.” Bashir earned a high school diploma and trained to be a paralegal while in prison.
Bashir is now eligible for parole.
Paul Carrillo
Carrillo was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for killing a taxi driver in 1981 in Riverside County to steal his car.
Brown said Carrillo has participated in numerous prison programs. He is an inmate Native American spiritual adviser and assists chaplains performing Indian spiritual rites.
Carrillo is now eligible for parole.
Travielle Craig
Craig was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in 1993 for robbing and killing a man in Los Angeles County.
Craig has earned a high school diploma, mentors at-risk youth and is a Bible counselor.
Craig is now eligible for parole.
DeAngelo McVay
McVay participated in the kidnap and torture of a drug dealer in Los Angeles County and was sentenced to life without parole in 1999.
Brown cited the support of McVay’s prison warden and has avoided gangs and drugs during his incarceration. He is a rescue dog trainer and Bible counselor.
McVay is now eligible for parole.
John Paul Rodriguez
Rodriguez was sentenced to 22 years in prison in 2010 for attempted murder in Los Angeles County. Rodriguez was sentenced to shooting and wounding a man who he challenged to a fight in a nightclub. He was 17 years old at the time.
Brown said Rodriguez dropped out of his gang in prison, earned a high school diploma and three associate degrees. He is a literacy tutor and has participated in numerous prison programs.
Brown reduced Rodriguez’ sentence to nine years.
Mary Elizabeth Stroder
Stroder was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole after she was convicted in 1995 of first-degree murder in Kern County. She and her boyfriend kidnapped a shopper. The boyfriend fatally shot the victim after robbing her.
Brown said 7,000 people have signed a petition supporting her release. She has a job and housing waiting for her.
Stroder is now eligible for parole.
Raul Zarate
Zarate was sentenced to 16 years in prison in 2010 for attempted murder in Los Angeles County. Zarate was convicted of shooting two strangers he got into a dispute with when he was 17 years old.
Brown said Zarate has not been disciplined for misconduct while incarcerated. He has participated in numerous prison programs. The Library of Congress has certified his as a Braille transcriber.
Brown reduced Zarate’s sentence to nine years.
The Times-Standard contributed to this report
