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M. MICHAEL ROUNDS 2418 Whispering Shores Drive Fort Pierre, SD) §7532 Dosember 12, 2018, South Dakota Board of Pardans and Paroles P.O, Box 5911 Sioux Falls, SD 57117 ‘To the Members of the Board, ‘While I was Govorner, Jcaquin Ramos was granted 2 commutation of sentence as eco mended by the Board in July 2008, As a result of the commutation being issued, Mr, Ramos’ sentence was commuted from life in prison to 160 years. ‘As | have aisclosed to the Board in a previous correspandance fram January 2011 {enciosed), the victim's family members did not have the opportunity to share theit views on a potential commutation of sentence before the commutation wee granted. ‘The notifications from the Department of Corrections victim notficaton sysiom were not teceived by the family members. | had tne opportunity to visit with several of the family members while | was stil Covemor. The family members expressed concem of the potential threet Mr. Ramos would pose if granted parole. | belleve the preferences of the victim's family mamhers ‘should be given strong consideration. As ! wrote fo you in my January 2011 letia, “Had | had this information at the time was reviewing his request, my decision would have ‘been to deny his request for a commutation * Therefore, Iwrite again to you today a8 you cansider parole for Mr. Ramos, Ido not ‘Support Mr Rarnos being granted parole, ‘Thank you for your consideration of my thoughts Uf Weta Lara é M Michael Rounds U.S. Senator Enclosure S& Stave or SouTH Dakota oo M, MIcHAg: RuLntis, GUVERNOK, Jewary 7, 2041 South Dakota Roard o" Pantone and Poralee P.O. Bax 6921 Sioux Fall, SD 87117 To ths Membera of the Bosra, On Decanter 28 207.9, Joaquin Ramos wes granted a carnmutation ci sanlarce a recommended by the Boare in July 2008, As 8 raaut of the corwtation being ised) IM, Ramos’ senfsnee was commuted froin Ife in prison to 189 years. ‘Shortly ater the commucatiun was issued auc lea withthe Secretary of Sate, ns ofice be (areseive idocuaticr fiom he vleim's family slang they ao aot support Wr. Ramos teceivng & reduction ut is serie, Ag nore infomaticn was charac by various members of eta. ‘secant ericor lal soins of Ihe family WoUk! fel theeatened Ir. Ra nog Were ever granted Paros of eleased uw prisur. [Hau | Rad sis information at ne tine | vas reviewing Mis TeaUS6, my decision uule lava been to deny his request fo (White altampts were maze le contact these sfia wre ianiiad in the victim mosinallay eystem, ‘is ny undeistarding. sore of (aso hdlvefuale oa nt eeccive :he “alice sqrt to then’. AS 2 Fesul Ido not agave tae Bosc had an ozpotumly to reer tg testimony when they made ‘tharr decision to unan'mously support. Kanes” request 2008, (On Jonsary 7, 2041, 1 met with three meters ofthe vicsin’s family, Aller Ageving heir Lear, estima! shared ‘wth them | viguld contact the Board and savise the members at, hi pparicular 2a3e, !do rot balla the vielimshava hed an appartily ta share their views Tegarding this matter. | avn “equesting the Boare ister to eri inoue the vet's fanily may be ‘wbing to share divrg future parale heannga rivehing Mr, Ramos andl conser thas vs ‘when deciding f Mr. Ramos Should be grafted parole. Adltlonaly, Iam sending documentation to the Board, whlch ves shared with re by ine fail at tha lenusry 7 nesting in ovderttat this may be consicered oy the Board st Ramos’ parole hearings, Biased on the actiiioral information that has beer shared wih me, my recommendation tothe Board Parole aot be granted! to Mr, Ramos. Slecerely MURIS Sere Cantar, © Bu Se LANA = Moe Sout IPE © GOS. 279.022