Clemency board votes to recommend commutation for Claude Price with conditions

The Washington Clemency and Pardons Board voted unanimously on Dec. 12, 2025, to recommend Gov. Jay Inslee commute Claude Price’s sentence, provided Price meets three conditions set by the board.

Chair Raymond Delas Reyes moved that the board recommend commutation ‘‘based on the following conditions: that Mr. Price serve his sentence to complete what would be his standard sentence under one count of attempted murder; that a lifetime no-contact order be put in place protecting all victims; and that prior to his release Mr. Price complete a substance-use assessment and follow all recommendations.’’ The motion was seconded and passed 4-0.

Petitioner counsel Catherine Karcher presented a Wood risk assessment and letters documenting long-term rehabilitation dating back to 2001 and described a reentry plan that includes the Seattle Clemency Project and an avenue to join the Millwrights Union. Counsel also disputed a pretrial allegation that Price solicited violence, saying it was investigated and produced no charges.

Price addressed the board, accepted responsibility for a string of violent offenses and property crimes, described sobriety since June 18, 2001, and detailed mentoring and rehabilitative work he has done in prison. ‘‘From the bottom of my heart, I’m sorry,’’ he told the board during his remarks. He outlined plans to mentor others and seek steady employment if released.

Deputy Thurston County prosecutor Elizabeth McMullen urged caution, saying the petition is premature because Price has not yet completed the full standard sentence on any one attempted-murder count and because the record includes recent infractions and limited engagement with mental-health treatment inside the Department of Corrections. "At this point, it's too soon for Mr. Price," she said.

Victim Aletha (Carrie) Carey testified that she continues to live in fear after being pursued and shot at, said the petition left her with more questions than answers, and urged that the board protect victims’ safety. "I live in constant fear of Mr. Price," she told the panel.

In deliberations board members cited the seriousness of Price’s offenses and the victims’ ongoing fear but also acknowledged long-term rehabilitation documented in letters and the Wood assessment. The board’s conditional recommendation requires that Price first complete what would be a standard sentence for one attempted-murder count, that a lifetime no-contact order be imposed, and that he complete and follow a substance-use treatment plan before any commutation would be presented to the governor.

The board’s recommendation is advisory; the governor retains final authority on commutation.