Gov. Jay Inslee has conditionally commuted Rogelio Vasquez’s 46-year sentence after he has already served 22 years. Vasquez was convicted and sentenced following a 1998 crime spree in Coupeville.
Island County Prosecutor Greg Banks, who prosecuted Vasquez, recommended approval of the commutation in a statement to the Clemency and Pardons Board based on his belief that Vasquez has made some sincere changes to his life while behind bars. “In the crucible of a highly controlled custodial environment, he has developed an unlikely new character trait-the ability to care for and about others,” he wrote.
Island County Sheriff Rick Felici, in a letter to the Board, wrote that he “is torn between his belief that people have the capacity for change and the importance of Vasquez taking responsibility for a ‘series of extremely violent acts.'” Sheriff Felici also said, “I sincerely hope that during his time in prison, he has taken the opportunity to reflect on his life and that if granted clemency he will spend the rest of his life as a decent and productive member of society.”
For more details, see the story by Jessie Stensland.
