‘Do people deserve a second chance?’: Ursula and Gee weigh Claude Price’s 95-year sentence after Ferguson denies clemency

Gov. Bob Ferguson has not granted a prison sentence commutation since taking office, despite recommendations from Washington’s Clemency and Pardons Board to release 15 people, according to The Seattle Times. Among them is Claude Price, whose proposed release in 2031 was unanimously supported by the board but rejected by Ferguson.

The report prompted co-host Gee Scott to challenge Price’s continued imprisonment during “The Gee and Ursula Show” on KIRO Newsradio, while co-host Ursula Reutin called for the governor to explain his decisions.

“What’s the point of the board if they don’t have any say? Why’d y’all put it together in the first place?” Gee said.

“At the very least, the governor needs to explain why it is that you are rejecting these,” Ursula responded.

Price’s sentence, crimes draw scrutiny

Price was convicted of theft, assault, and four counts of attempted murder after stealing a truck in Thurston County in 1997, knocking down its owner and firing at witnesses who followed him. Neither witness was struck by the gunfire. His original 101-year sentence was later reduced to 95 years, and his current release date is 2092.

“He stole a truck. He knocked over the owner. He attempted to steal another vehicle, and he fired shots at people who followed him,” Gee said. “He never hit anybody with those gunshots, and he is scheduled to be released in 2092. He’s been in prison for 30 years.

“This might be the most outrageous case that we’ve ever talked about on this show, where somebody is still in prison, and they’re refusing to let him out,” he added.

The Thurston County prosecutor and victims opposed early release. One witness described the fear from the shooting continuing to affect her decades later.

Rehabilitation raises questions about second chances

Price has reportedly gone a decade without serious prison infractions. The board recommended release in 2031, after he completed the first of four consecutive attempted murder sentences.

Ursula contrasted the opposition to his release with his conduct in prison.

“The Thurston County prosecutor said we don’t want him to be released early,” she said. “The victims have said we don’t want him to be released early, but he is doing everything right in prison. I think it boils down to: Do people deserve a second chance after they get a sentence like this?”

Gee questioned what further imprisonment would accomplish.

“What part does he deserve to be in there anymore after today?” Gee said. “There’s no part that’s been talked about that should have this man in jail still.”

Board recommendations do not determine release

Ferguson followed the board’s recommendations on pardons and commutations 27% of the time, compared with 94% under former Gov. Jay Inslee, according to The Seattle Times review. Ferguson has granted pardons to people who had already completed their sentences, but none of the recommended commutations.

Ursula distinguished her concerns about Price’s sentence from supporting every early-release request.

“I think Governor Inslee went too far in agreeing to nearly all of them. Some people just purely do not deserve to get back out,” Ursula said. “I am very conservative when it comes to punishment. But in a case like this, it is important to understand other details as well.”

Gee returned to his reaction to the governor’s decisions.

“When I got ready to read this, and the governor not agreeing to what the board has been saying, I was shocked,” Gee said.

Watch the full discussion in the video above.

Listen to Gee and Ursula on “The Gee and Ursula Show” weekday mornings from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio.