Board pauses Brad Self commutation hearing after petitioner lacks prosecution materials

Brad Self appeared before the Washington State Clemency and Pardons Board to seek commutation and gave a lengthy statement accepting responsibility for his role in a violent incident and detailing rehabilitative steps he has taken in custody.

Self described his convictions (first-degree kidnapping, first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary and second-degree assault with firearm enhancements) and acknowledged the harm to the victim. He detailed educational achievements (an AS degree, CAD and aerospace composites coursework), work as a teaching assistant, and participation and later mentoring in a prison dog program—steps he said demonstrate rehabilitation.

Board members asked Self to describe, in his own words, his actions the night of the offense. Self acknowledged opening a door, zip-tying the victim and going along with the codefendant's actions; he disputed some assertions about premeditation. During questioning the board discovered Self had not received the prosecution's submitted materials and opposition letters; he said he had not received any correspondence from the prosecutor and did not have counsel representing him for this hearing.

Chair Delas Reyes said the board would continue the matter so that the prosecuting attorney can provide the materials and Self can review them before proceedings resume. "We are going to continue this matter to a later date so that we can work with the board and the prosecuting attorney's office to ensure that mister Self has that information prior to proceeding any further with this hearing," the chair said.