News Bites From Across South Carolina And The Nation

**California Woman Pardoned 27 Years After Killing Abuser As A Teen**

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has pardoned a woman, who was convicted of killing her abuser, and serving almost 20 years in prison , reports USA Today.

Sara Kruzan, now 44, was just 16 when she shot George G. Howard who was 36, as he attempted to sexually assault her at a motel in Riverside. Howard had started being sex-trafficking her at the age of 13.

In her official pardon, Newsom wrote that Kruzan has “transformed her life and dedicated herself to community service. This act of clemency for Ms. Kruzan does not minimize or forgive her conduct or the harm it caused. It does recognize the work she has done since to transform herself.”

Back in 1994, Kruzan shot Howard through the neck, taking his $1,500 cash and his sports car in her escape. The following year, she was tried as an adult and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole following her conviction of first-degree murder at the age of 17.

Kruzan’s case was highly criticized for how the courts treated children who were survivors of abuse. Advocates of criminal justice reform argued that the judge did not display enough compassion for Kruzan and did not allow evidence about her abuse to be considered during her trial, reported The Los Angeles Times.

**Accused Gunman Held Without Bail in Highland Park Parade Massacre**

A Lake County judge on Wednesday ordered Robert E. “Bobby” Crimo III, accused of carrying out the rooftop massacre at Highland Park’s Independence Day parade, held without bail on seven counts of first-degree murder.

Calling Crimo a “specific and present threat to the community,” Judge Theodore Potkonjak ordered him to remain in jail. Crimo’s next hearing is set for July 28.

Just after the hearing, Lake County Deputy Sheriff Chris Covelli dropped a startling new allegation, telling reporters Crimo happened upon a “celebration” in the Madison, Wisconsin, area after fleeing Highland Park and “seriously contemplated using the firearm he had in his vehicle to commit another shooting.”

Covelli said Crimo decided against it because he had not done enough research. Crimo had a KelTec SUB2000 rifle and 60 rounds of ammunition with him at the time, Covelli said.