Sacramento murder convict among batch of commutations, pardons by Gavin Newsom
California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued 23 pardons and 10 commutations on Friday, the governor’s office announced, including a man convicted of murder in Sacramento County who will be allowed to apply for for parole.
Newsom granted a commutation to Arthur Battle, convicted of murder for a 2006 contract killing. Battle was 18 years old when he and another man were paid to kill 45-year-old Norik Abramyan.
Battle was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in 2009 and has been incarcerated for 19 years. Newsom reduced that sentence to 21 years to life. Battle will be eligible to apply for parole in two years.
Now 37, Battle has “demonstrated a commitment to his rehabilitation and self-improvement” while incarcerated, the commutation order signed by Newsom said. Battle earned his GED, took part in vocational training and worked as an aide to people with disabilities, the order said.
The batch of clemency actions included others who were sentenced in the Sacramento region.
Newsom granted a commutation to Kevin Schrubb, 63, convicted in Placer County for robbing a bank in 2003 and who has been incarcerated for 22 years. Schrubb is now eligible to apply for parole immediately.
George O’Shea was granted a pardon. O’Shea was convicted of fraud in Yolo County and sentenced in 1991.
Justin Ozeroff was granted a pardon. Ozeroff was convicted of a drug charge in 1992 in Sacramento County. He was also convicted of damaging power lines in Placer County and driving under the influence in Sacramento County, both in 2001.
Newsom has issued 247 pardons, 160 commutations and 42 reprieves since taking office in 2019, his office said.
This story was originally published August 30, 2025 at 5:30 PM.
