Clemency board recommends commutation for Jeffrey Brinkley, voting 4–1
March 12, 2026 | Board Council Commission Agencies , Executive, Washington
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The Washington State Clemency and Pardons Board voted 4–1 on March 12 to recommend commutation of Jeffrey Brinkley’s sentence to the governor, after hearing testimony from the petitioner, family witnesses, and the prosecuting attorney.
Brinkley read a prepared statement acknowledging responsibility for robbery, kidnapping and assault in 2011 and expressing remorse: "I robbed you. I kidnapped you and assaulted you... Those choices were wrong and immoral and deeply harmful." He described sustained sobriety of more than 14 years, program participation (welding, dog program, volunteer work), and steps taken to build a release plan that includes family supports and sober‑living housing.
Board members questioned Brinkley at length about his infractions while incarcerated (a last major infraction in 2016 and a 2018 incident reduced to a minor infraction) and about the specifics of his release plan. Witness Daniel Brinkley, Jeffrey’s brother, testified he had secured Oxford House placement, job leads and community supports in Auburn and said he would personally hold his brother accountable: "I would pick him up myself and take him and drop him off at the probation office," Daniel Brinkley said.
Prosecutor Jason Cummings opposed commutation at this time, describing the December 1, 2011 events as violent and noting that a death later in the chain of events left lasting harm to victims. Cummings said he was concerned Brinkley had not yet served the minimum range for some counts and pointed to residual questions about anger management and insight.
After deliberations that weighed victim impact, rehabilitation, institutional infractions, and release planning, Board Member Kazi Joshua made a motion to recommend commutation citing the petitioner’s remorse and established supports; Vice Chair Doug Baldwin Jr. seconded. The motion passed 4–1. Chair Raymond Delas Reyes reminded Brinkley that the board’s recommendation is advisory and the governor will decide whether to commute the sentence.
Staff will transmit the board’s recommendation and supporting materials to the governor’s office for review.
Brinkley read a prepared statement acknowledging responsibility for robbery, kidnapping and assault in 2011 and expressing remorse: "I robbed you. I kidnapped you and assaulted you... Those choices were wrong and immoral and deeply harmful." He described sustained sobriety of more than 14 years, program participation (welding, dog program, volunteer work), and steps taken to build a release plan that includes family supports and sober‑living housing.
Board members questioned Brinkley at length about his infractions while incarcerated (a last major infraction in 2016 and a 2018 incident reduced to a minor infraction) and about the specifics of his release plan. Witness Daniel Brinkley, Jeffrey’s brother, testified he had secured Oxford House placement, job leads and community supports in Auburn and said he would personally hold his brother accountable: "I would pick him up myself and take him and drop him off at the probation office," Daniel Brinkley said.
Prosecutor Jason Cummings opposed commutation at this time, describing the December 1, 2011 events as violent and noting that a death later in the chain of events left lasting harm to victims. Cummings said he was concerned Brinkley had not yet served the minimum range for some counts and pointed to residual questions about anger management and insight.
After deliberations that weighed victim impact, rehabilitation, institutional infractions, and release planning, Board Member Kazi Joshua made a motion to recommend commutation citing the petitioner’s remorse and established supports; Vice Chair Doug Baldwin Jr. seconded. The motion passed 4–1. Chair Raymond Delas Reyes reminded Brinkley that the board’s recommendation is advisory and the governor will decide whether to commute the sentence.
Staff will transmit the board’s recommendation and supporting materials to the governor’s office for review.
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