Governor Grants Clemency to Tulare Murderer

In a news release Friday as Californians sheltered at home during a national emergency, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that he granted clemency to convicted murderer Richard Flowers. In 1994, Flowers robbed, beat, and murdered 78-year-old Tulare woman Mary Eloise Garcia. What little Ms. Garcia had, Flowers took and used it to purchase cocaine. He was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. The Office of the District Attorney opposed Mr. Flowers’ clemency requests in 2018 and 2019.

“Like Governor Newsom’s death penalty moratorium, we were informed of Mr. Flowers’ clemency through the news media. This is a deplorable action without any justification,” said District Attorney Tim Ward.  “As I have said before, actions such as this are a travesty to victims, their families, and the men and women of this office who strive for justice every day. Once again, this action shows there is a lack of truth in sentencing in California, as a jury recommended a sentence of life without the possibility of parole. Our legal system has shown more compassion to Mr. Flowers than he ever did for his victim.”

The granting of clemency now makes Mr. Flowers eligible for parole and release. Read more about the case in our office’s 2018 opposition below.