SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom is commuting the sentence of a 45-year-old man convicted in 2011 of conspiracy to commit murder in Santa Clara County, according to the governor’s office.
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The commutation, one of 10 granted by the governor Friday, allows Cuong Tran to make his case for parole earlier than expected.
“This act of clemency for Mr. Tran does not minimize or forgive his conduct or the harm it caused,” Newsom wrote in the commutation. “It does recognize the work he has done since to transform himself.”
In 2011, Tran, then 31, tried to hire a hit man at his younger brother’s request, but the assassin was actually an undercover San Jose police officer, according to court documents.
Tran was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and sentenced to 25 years to life.
Over the past 14 years, Tran has “dedicated himself to his rehabilitation,” as well as “engaged in significant self-help programming, taken college courses and maintained a positive work history,” according to the commutation.
The commutation noted he is also a certified alcohol and drug recovery specialist who has received commendations from guards for his “positive attitude, patience and dependability.”
“I have carefully considered and weighed the evidence of Mr. Tran’s positive conduct in prison and his good prospects for safe community re-entry,” Newsom wrote. “I have concluded that Mr. Tran merits an earlier opportunity to appear before the Board of Parole Hearings so it can determine whether he is suitable for release on parole.”
Tran’s brother, Kevin, was also convicted of conspiracy to commit murder, as well as kidnapping for ransom and false imprisonment with gun-use enhancements. He received 25 years to life for the conspiracy charge and life with the possibility of parole for the kidnapping charge.
Court records detail how Kevin Tran abducted a man he believed was romantically involved with his then-girlfriend and threatened to kill him if he did not pay $15,000. Kevin Tran was in custody when the officer learned from a confidential informant that he was searching for someone to kill the victim to keep him from testifying.
The officer posed as a hit man and met with Kevin Tran, who later arranged for Cuong Tran to provide him with a handgun and payment, according to the records.
In addition to the commutations, Newsom also granted 23 pardons Friday. While in office, he has granted a total of 247 pardons, 160 commutations and 42 reprieves.