DENVER (AP) -- On his last full day as governor, Roy Romer granted clemency to three women and one man convicted of killing people they say abused them.
"I'm not trying to encourage people to use force, but sometimes you have to understand the human circumstance," Romer said Monday. He finishes 12 years as Colorado governor Tuesday and remains co-chairman of the Democratic National Committee.Debra Muniz, sentenced to six years for the shooting death of her husband, had her sentence commuted to two years already served. Her 23-year-old son, Zachariah Muniz, had his six-year sentence commuted to parole.
Romer said he believed the two deserved mercy because they saw no other escape from Dwayne Muniz, who had a reputation for beating his wife and children. Romer said authorities had failed to help the family.
Two other women had their sentences reduced, though neither will be up for parole immediately.
Romer refused to grant clemency to four women who also claimed they killed abusers. On each of the decisions, he agreed with a special advisory panel he created to review requests for clemency.
During his administration, Romer worked to strengthen laws and penalties for domestic violence offenders and to improve prevention and services for victims.