Gov. Doug Ducey authorizes commutation for 1970 murder convict

PHOENIX — Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey on Wednesday authorized a commutation for a man convicted of murder more than 45 years ago.

Doyle W. Williams was convicted of first-degree murder in the Superior Court of Maricopa County in February 1970 and sentenced to life in prison.

A 1973 law change let anyone sentenced to a life term to be eligible for parole after 25 years, but the change didn’t retroactively apply to Williams.

Williams has served more than 45 years in prison without parole as a result.

A June meeting of the Board of Executive Clemency unanimously recommended Williams’ sentenced be commuted to a life sentence with parole eligibility after 45 years.

Ducey signed off on the commutation on Wednesday.

“Governor Ducey takes this process seriously,” Ducey spokesman Patrick Ptak said in an email.

“He reviews clemency requests thoughtfully and based on the merit of each individual request. Ultimately, the final decision in this case will be made by the Clemency Board.”

[newsletter][/newsletter]

Related

Ducey announces $1M in tuition funding for National Guard membersPedestrians hit by vehicle in west Phoenix, leaving 1 dead and 1 injuredSchnepf Farms adds new attractions for Pumpkin & Chili Party376-unit apartment complex proposed near IKEA in south TempeNearly 30 adaptive athletes learn basketball skills in Phoenix thanks to Suns/Mercury Foundation37 years later, DNA technology identifies man killed by train in Arizona