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Clemency board denies Paul Thorstenson commutation after victim-family appeals
Summary
After hearing testimony on Thorstenson's long-term rehabilitation and the Redemption Project, the Clemency and Pardons Board voted 3–1 to deny his commutation request; the Glaser family urged the board to prioritize victims' safety and account for the planning behind their son's murder.
The Clemency and Pardons Board voted 3–1 on June 12 to deny Paul Thorstenson's petition for commutation after a day-long hearing that included testimony from Thorstenson, program witnesses and the victim's family.
Paul Thorstenson, who said he participated in the 1999 killing of Joshua Glaser, told the board he has taken responsibility for the crime and has spent decades leading rehabilitation programs inside the Department of Corrections. "I took full responsibility for the senseless and brutal crime that cost Joshua Glaser his life," Thorstenson said, describing his work founding the Redemption Project and his plans to continue violence-prevention and reentry work if released.
Witnesses for Thorstenson emphasized his leadership in the Redemption Project and the program's curriculum. Anthony Powers described a "spider web" exercise that highlights the ripple effects of crime and testified that the project produced widespread programming hours across DOC facilities. Powers and other supporters also raised equity concerns, saying comparable cases in the same county produced different sentences.
Margaret Schulte testified she would provide housing and accountability for Thorstenson on release, and Scott Bissell, speaking for the defense team, urged the board to consider Thorstenson's education, mentoring and reentry plan.
The Glaser family delivered emotional victim-impact testimony. Ariel Glaser told the board the family continues to live with the consequences of "a life without our child" and urged members to deny commutation. Mike Glaser asked the board to show mercy for the victim and public safety by refusing early release.
Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney Jason Cummings noted the case's aggravating facts and described plea agreements and prior resentencings; he reserved time for the Glaser family to speak and emphasized victims' ongoing contacts with his office. Cummings said the sentencing agreements and the case history weighed against commutation.
Board members weighed Thorstenson's rehabilitation against the gravity and planning of the homicide. Member Aileen Flower and Vice Chair Doug Baldwin said they were troubled by what they described as an absence of personal empathy in Thorstenson's testimony, even while acknowledging his programmatic contributions. Member Kazi Joshua and Member Rhonda Salvesen also commented on the difficulty of the decision.
A motion to deny Thorstenson's commutation request was made and seconded; the board recorded a 3to1 vote against granting commutation. The board reiterated that its action is a recommendation to the governor, who has the final authority.
