Evers Grants 14 Commutations and Restarts Long-Dormant Wisconsin Review Process

Overview

• The governor approved 14 commutations Friday after a new Commutation Advisory Board reviewed 24 applications and recommended those cases to him.
• The board held public hearings in August and September, applying standards that weigh public safety, victims’ interests, prison conduct, and evidence of rehabilitation.
• One notable approval was Michael Maldonado, whose 1994 juvenile murder-for-hire conviction drew fresh attention after a 2019 letter from a co-defendant saying he fired the shot.
• A commutation changes an active sentence and can make someone eligible for parole or supervised release sooner but does not automatically shorten time served or grant immediate release.
• Evers revived the process with two executive orders earlier in 2026, has denied 10 other applications, and has issued more than 2,443 pardons during his tenure, underscoring his expanded use of clemency tools.