The Board, after hearing testimony, decides whether or not to recommend commutation to the Governor of Texas.

If the Board recommends commutation, the Governor can accept or reject the recommendation.

Sept. 10, 1996: The board votes 5-0 not to not recommend commutation or pardon.

A combination of these and/or other equitable factors may also provide a basis for recommending commutation in the context of a particular case.

(Republican Alexander H. Rice, who won the election, also refused to sign the execution order, but his Council eventually recommended commutation of Pomeroy's sentence to life in solitary confinement.)

The Board of Pardon and Parole recommended commutation, and Perry accepted the recommendation, converting the sentence to life in prison with a possibility of parole in 2037.

Robert Cordy, the Governor's chief legal counsel, said today that Mr. Weld had decided to recommend commutation for Ms. Moore because the pardons board had voted unanimously in her case and because the evidence supporting her was "strong" and "clear cut."

However, the same judge also wrote to Texas Governor Edmund J. Davis recommending commutation to life in prison.

That judge can then recommend commutation of the rest of the sentence to the Governor, who can grant the inmate's release from prison.

The board may grant clemency hearings and may recommend commutation, pardon or parole to the Governor.