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Governor Brown Allows Parole For Killers At Higher Rate

SACRAMENTO (CBS/AP) - A new report shows Gov. Jerry Brown let stand 80 percent of a state board's decisions to parole murderers from California prisons.

Brown's office on Friday released the annual report on the governor's reviews of 470 decisions made by the Board of Parole Hearings to free convicted killers in 2012. It showed Brown reversed 91 parole decisions, sent two cases back for reconsideration and let the others stand.

According to his office, Brown allowed 82 percent of the board's 412 parole decisions in 2011.

By contrast, former Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger allowed about a quarter of the recommended paroles to stand, while former Democratic Gov. Gray Davis allowed just 2 percent.

Governor's spokesman Evan Westrup notes in 2011 state courts overturned nearly three-quarters of 144 Schwarzenegger reversals that were challenged.

(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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