Jonathan Carneys Murder Case Sparks Controversy Over Commutation

May 2024 · 5 minute read

Bruce and Audrey Carlson were caught off guard when they received a letter from the state Board of Pardons and Paroles regarding Jonathan Carney’s application for a commutation, who was convicted for the murder of their daughter. 

The contents of the application left the Carlsons in a state of shock and disbelief.

In the application, Carney admitted that he had planned to kill himself in their daughter’s house to make her feel guilty for ending their relationship

However, his plans were disrupted when Elizabeth and her sister returned home unexpectedly. When Elizabeth confronted him, Carney fatally shot her.

This damning revelation was only brought to light after the Carlsons filed a Freedom of Information request.

Audrey Carlson expressed her disgust at Carney’s attempt to secure a commutation, saying, “I got sick to my stomach. Everything resurfaces.”

She also felt that Carney was still lying about his actions and that he had not undergone any significant change despite spending 21 years in prison.

The Carlsons’ reaction is not uncommon among families who have been victims of serious crimes in the state. They receive notification from the state board when the perpetrator applies for a commutation, and the process can be emotionally taxing and traumatic for them.

In summary, the Carlsons were taken aback by the disturbing details contained in Jonathan Carney’s commutation application. 

They were particularly appalled by his lack of remorse and honesty about the crime, and their experience is shared by other families in similar situations who are notified of commutation requests by the state board.

Last year, the state Board of Pardons and Paroles granted 71 commutations out of the 80 full hearings that were granted. Although the odds of receiving a commutation are high, they are lower for inmates seeking a full hearing.

Jonathan Carney, Elizabeth Carlson’s murderer, has not yet been granted a hearing. The decision on his application will be made on Tuesday, when the board will meet to consider new applications from inmates seeking full hearings.

The decision to grant full hearings is made without any input from victims.

Since revamping its commutation policy, the board has received over 450 applications for commutation, out of which 212 were denied a full hearing. This process can be emotionally exhausting and traumatic for victims and their families.

In 2003, Carney pleaded guilty to breaking into the Carlson family‘s home in Newington and murdering Elizabeth by shooting her seven times with a revolver. He was 29 years old at the time and accepted a plea deal of 42 years in prison.

Carney is one of 450 inmates in the state who have applied for a commutation since the state board recently revised its policy and set new guidelines.

The Carlsons were outraged when they learned that Carney had applied for a commutation, especially after discovering that he intended to kill himself in Elizabeth’s house.

The revelation was particularly galling as they had also learned that Carney had told his psychiatrist that he would kill Elizabeth if she did not get back together with him, but the psychiatrist had failed to notify the police.

Bruce Carlson expressed his frustration with the situation, stating, “The state’s attorneys are livid. We’re livid. 

Our guy took a 42-year plea bargain, so he served 21 so far. I thought when you take a plea bargain, it’s a contract between you and the state that they would not try to get you for 60 years, and you would serve the term. Period. That’s it. But apparently, that’s not it.”

In summary, the state Board of Pardons and Paroles granted a significant number of commutations last year, and the process can be emotionally taxing for victims and their families.

Jonathan Carney’s application for a commutation has caused further distress for the Carlson family, who were already traumatized by his actions.

The decision on his application will be made on Tuesday, and the Carlsons and other victims will have no say in the matter.

On May 25, 2002, Bruce Carlson had a phone conversation with his daughter Elizabeth after returning from the gym. Moments later, Elizabeth and her sister unexpectedly came home and discovered that Jonathan Carney, Elizabeth’s ex-boyfriend, had broken into the house. 

One of the sisters yelled to Bruce over the phone that Carney was there, and the call abruptly ended. Unbeknownst to Bruce, Carney was hiding in the upstairs bathroom with a gun.

Elizabeth saw the gun and told her sister to run. When the Carlsons returned home later that day, they found their street filled with emergency vehicles.

Since his sentencing in 2004, Carney has attempted to appeal his case to the appellate court multiple times. However, because he was convicted of murder, he is ineligible for parole.

Additionally, he cannot seek a sentence modification because he accepted a plea deal.

State’s Attorney Christian Watson believes that the sentencing of a defendant brings a sense of closure to victims and their families.

The agreed-upon disposition between the state and Carney provided a final judgment. However, Carney’s recent application for commutation has caused the victims’ families to reopen old wounds.

Watson is also concerned that victims’ families are not allowed to review the application information for commutation and must file a Freedom of Information request with the parole board. 

He also expressed dissatisfaction with the lengthy full commutation hearings, which can last up to six hours and require families to wait until their case is called up for review.

Watson suggested that each case be given a set time throughout the day to avoid forcing victims’ families to listen to detailed discussions of four or five other serious crimes.

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