Governor commutes life sentence for woman convicted in Fresno County murder case

A woman who was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole plus four years for murder in Fresno County was one of 14 people whose sentence was commuted by Gov. Jerry Brown on Friday. The governor also granted 56 pardons.

Winona Weathers was sentenced on July 20, 1993 in Fresno Superior Court after one of her friends killed William McClelland. Weathers was also sentenced for assault with a firearm and a firearm enhancement.

In 1990, Weathers and her friends confronted McClelland at his friend's house about the debt he owed Weathers. That's when Weathers' friend shot and killed McClelland.

Brown signed a commutation of sentence stating, "Ms. Weathers participated in a very serious crime, but she has accepted responsibility for her actions and has worked hard to turn her life around."

Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp tweeted about the governor's commutation of Weathers' sentence.

Smittcamp could not be reached for comment Saturday.

Weathers has been incarcerated for 27 years and is now 57 years old.

In her application for clemency, she wrote, "I use my past mistakes now to teach others not to make the same ones … I have a new-found appreciation for life."

After she went to prison, Weathers participated in self-help programs and worked for the Prison Industry Authority, where she received positive work ratings and commendations from her supervisors. Weathers also earned her GED and developed marketing skills.

"She has been accepted to multiple transitional housing programs, and her family is prepared to help her if she is released," the governor's letter said.

Brown also pardoned five men facing deportation, including Sokha Chhan of Fresno, a refugee from Cambodia. At the age of 13 he lawfully came to the U.S. after his family fled the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime.

He was sentenced in the Fresno Superior Court in November 2002 for "inflicting corporal injury on spouse or cohabitant, and threatening a crime with the intent to terrorize, both misdemeanors," the governor’s letter said.

Chhan served three years of probation and 354 days in jail, and was released on Nov. 5, 2005. After his conviction, he was granted the custody of his five children.

"He has shown that since his release from custody, he has lived an honest and upright life, exhibited good moral character, and conducted himself as a law-abiding citizen," the governor’s letter said.

Chhan now is in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement pending deportation to Cambodia.

This story was originally published March 31, 2018 at 12:30 PM with the headline "Governor commutes life sentence for woman convicted in Fresno County murder case."