‘ye Srare Capron Innap Pouss Dees, Cotonae 8on03 Cones Ten or866-2¢1 ia 30) 8563005 December 20, 2019 Erik Brendan Jensen Mr. Jensen: I write to inform you that !am granting your application fora commutation. A\ter learning about your ease and your character, | am commuting your sentence to 25 years and granting you immediate parole eligibility with mandstory parole effective March 1, 2020. My decision today is based on the circumstances of your case alone. The clemency power is unique and reserved for only the most deserving of leniency. My decision isnot to be taken as a judgment on the wisdom of your conviction or a statement about any particular aspect of o Criminal justice poliey. Those questions are better resolved through our courts and our legislature, My decision today is based solely on the circumstances of your ease and, most importantly, the person you are today. As of the date of this leter, you have served over 21 years in prison. The crimes you were convicted of are serious. Nonetheless, | believe you deserve parole for several reasons. tthe time of your crime, you were 17 yeas old. You first were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The statute under which you were sentenced has since been deemed unconstitutional by the United States Supreme Coun in Miller v. Alabama, 567 U.S. 460 (2012), InMay 2019, you were resentenced to mandatory life imprisonment with the opportunity for parole after 40 years. Last year, former Governor Hickenlooper commuted the sentence of your co- defendant, Nathan Ybanez, making Mr. Ybaner parole eligile in December 2020. ‘White you have been incarcerated, you earned an associates of arts degree from Indiana University and completed college courses in furtherance of a bachelors degree. You have been employed as an administrative custodian in the Warden's office at the Limon Correctional Facility for over seven years and have been housed in the prison’s Incentive Unit for over a decade. You have helped other inmates find purpose and positivity and provided them support in their darkest times, ‘You are a co-founder ofa faith-based counseling program aimed at helping inmates in need of spiritual and theological guidance. You are also a founder o* Redemption Road CrossFit Addition Recovery Program, which combines exercise and addition recovery principles to improve inmates"health and assist with recovery from addition. While incarcerated, you have pursued your interests ina, muse, writing, and physics. Your family and friends describe your faith, compassion, and determination. Your case manager described you as a mode! inmate and tesifed that he would have no concerns if you were to move in next door to him. Significantly, you have a strong support network that is prepared to assist you, including your parents, Curt and Patricia, and your family and friends. You have a detailed and thoughtful re- entry plan, including an offer of employment You have taken full accountability for your actions and recognize the mistakes you made in the past. You are remorseful, and ready to advance to a new phase of life. I believe you will be successful upon your release. In short, you have shown that rehabilitation is possible and demonstrate how every fewer can use tie cine in the Deparment of Corrections, ‘This commutation will change your future Its up to you to make the most ofthis opportunity. Good luck to you. Sincerely, Governor