Gov. Newsom Okays Inquiry Into Death Row Inmate’s Clemency Request
June 3, 2021
Cooper has served over 35 years on death row at San Quentin State Prison for the crimes. “Mr. Cooper maintains that he is innocent of the crimes of which he was convicted and contends that the evidence introduced at trial against him was manufactured, mishandled, planted, tampered with, or otherwise tainted by law enforcement,” said Newsom in executive order N-06-21, which he signed on May 28.