Newsom pardons woman who as teen fatally shot man who abused, trafficked her for sex

California Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom has pardoned a woman who as a teen was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for killing a man who had abused her and trafficked her for sex.

Sara Kruzan received that sentence in 1995 for fatally shooting the man, according to The Hill newspaper. She was 16 at the time of the shooting.

In 2010, then-GOP Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger commuted her sentence to 25 years to life. She was re-sentenced in 2013 to 15 years to life with a four-year firearm enhancement. And after 18 years in prison, Kruzan was released.

"She has provided evidence that she is living an upright life and has demonstrated her fitness for restoration of civic rights and responsibilities," reads the gubernatorial clemency certificate.

Ms. Kruzan committed a crime that took the life of the victim. Since then, Ms. Kruzan has transformed her life and dedicated herself to community service. This act of clemency for Ms. Kruzan does not minimize or· forgive her conduct or the harm it caused. It does recognize the work she has done since to transform herself."