Keystone Today

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate John Fetterman made a comment about eliminating life without parole in a podcast clip from late August, where he called this the most important issue, in his opinion.

Fox News reports on 10 people charged with first-degree murder that Fetterman helped to release in his time serving on the Board of Pardons (BOP) in Pennsylvania. Fetterman's campaign has walked back some of the claims that he wants to free first-degree and second-degree murderers and recently campaigned in Philadelphia, where he stated he was proud of his record on the Board of Pardons.

"[I would fix] life without parole in Pennsylvania," Fetterman said, according to a clip tweeted by the Republican National Committee. "We could save billions in revenue long term. We could save thousands of lives and not make anyone less safe."

Fetterman faces Dr. Mehmet Oz, a Republican, in November for the open U.S. Senate seat in Pennsylvania. According to Fetterman's website: "I believe in the power of a second chance, and for years, I have advocated for reforms to our too often unforgiving and vindictive justice system." His website states he will work for "effective diversion programs for nonviolent offenders"  and "sentencing reform."

Fox News reported Fetterman, who chairs the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons, has voted for at least 10 criminals who committed first-degree murder to be released from prison. In April, he voted with the other four BOP members to release Felix Rosado, who was serving a life sentence for shooting a man in 1995. In December, he voted for the release of Edward Silvis, serving a life sentence for the first-degree murder of an elderly woman during an attempted robbery in 1969. Last year, Fetterman voted to release James Inge, who was serving a life sentence for the first-degree murder of shooting a man. 

Fetterman tweeted about Inge’s release in March of 2021 saying, "Mercy must be a partner to justice.”

In September 2021, Fetterman voted to release Daniel Cummings, Mildred Strickland and Gregory Stover, who were all serving life sentences, Fox News reported. Cummings and Strickland committed first-degree murder and Stover was charged in connection to the murder of a man who was found with multiple gunshots in his head. In 2019, Fetterman voted to release Freddy Butler, who was serving a life sentence for stabbing an elderly man to death, Charlie Goldblum, who was  also convicted of stabbing a man to death and Raymond Johnson, convicted of first-degree murder and serving a life sentence for shooting a man, the story said.

All three were granted clemency by the governor of Pennsylvania. According to Fox, Fetterman has sometimes been the lone vote to release a criminal; he was the only one who voted to release Alexis Rodriguez, who is serving a life sentence for shooting and killing a police officer’s 17-year-old son. Futhermore, Fetterman cast the only vote to free John David Brookins, serving a life sentence for the first-degree murder of a women with a pair of scissors. Fox News reports  Fetterman’s campaign has historically defended his role on the Board of Pardons. Fetterman’s spokesman said, "John saved taxpayer money and took a fair-minded approach to every case he considered, voting to deny hundreds of pardon and commutation cases while also siding with law  enforcement experts nearly 90% of the time."

First-degree murder is defined as “unlawful killing of a human being, or a fetus, with malice aforethought,” according to the Manshoory Law Group. First-degree murder involves intent, deliberation and pre-meditation, and malice afterthought.

According to Fox News, Fetterman said "I always want to err on the side of mercy. You age out of crime," during a press conference. Fox Digital interviewed Fetterman's campaign spokesperson  who said, "He believes there are people who deserve to spend the rest of their life in prison for the crimes they’ve committed. But the decision to do this should be left to judges and parole boards, not politicians in Harrisburg." The campaign walked back some of Fetterman's old comments saying he does not believe every single person convicted of second-degree murder should be released.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Fetterman’s campaign denied his opponent Oz’s claims that he is soft on crime.

“Two of the things that I was most proud of in my career, stopping the gun violence as a mayor and fighting for the innocent and other individuals for a second chance. That is my record on  crime. And that’s my commitment to fight for you in Philadelphia,” Fetterman said.

Oz has criticized Fetterman for advocating for getting rid of life without parole and Fetterman’s stance on decriminalizing drugs, according to the Inquirer.