Colorado governor pardons 21 people and reduces sentences of 7 others, including man convicted of murder

Gov. Jared Polis on Friday released his annual list of pardons and clemency actions, clearing the convictions of 21 people and cutting short the sentences of seven others, including a man who was convicted of first-degree murder. 

David R. Carrillo was part of a group of teens convicted in the fatal June 28, 1993, shooting of 17-year-old Chris Romo in Pueblo. Carrillo, who was 19 at the time, didn’t pull the trigger, but he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for his role in the killing, which authorities said was gang-related.

Carrillo will be eligible for parole Jan. 31 under the clemency order released Friday by Polis. 

“As of the date of this letter, you have served over 28 years of your life without the possibility of parole sentence,” Polis wrote in a letter to Carrillo. “The crimes you were convicted of are very serious. Nonetheless, I believe you deserve clemency.”

Polis pointed out how all of the others convicted in the murder have been released from prison, including the shooter, Carrillo’s brother, who received parole in 2019 after serving 25 years behind bars. Carrillo was one of two charged in the case who didn’t take a plea deal and went to trial, according to The Pueblo Chieftain.

The governor said Carrillo has “put in tremendous work while incarcerated” to change his mindset, including obtaining a GED, bachelor’s degree and master of business administration degree.

Carrillo is now an adjunct faculty member at Adams State University, which Polis said is a first for someone actively incarcerated.

“These disparities, coupled with the work you have done while incarcerated, support granting your application,” Polis wrote. “You have taken accountability for your actions and recognize the mistakes you made in the past. You are remorseful and ready to advance to a new phase of life. I believe you will be successful.”

Polis added: “You have shown that rehabilitation is possible and demonstrated how every offender can use their time in the Department of Corrections.”

The other six people granted sentence reductions Friday by Polis won’t be eligible for parole or released until 2025 or after.

Polis has issued pardons and sentence commutations every year since he took office in 2019.He has reduced the sentences of a total of 25 people, including all three men on the state’s death row after signing a bill abolishing capital punishment in Colorado.

Additionally, Polis pardoned 2,732 people in 2020 with marijuana convictions for possessing one ounce or less of marijuana, followed by another 1,351 people in 2021. President Joe Biden on Friday also pardoned thousands of people convicted under federal law of marijuana violations.

This is a developing story that will be updated.