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Branstad denies commutation for Tracey Dyess

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October 7th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad won’t commute the sentence of a woman convicted of setting fire to her family’s home in Griswold in 2005. Branstad on Friday denied applications for commutation from Tracey Dyess, and three other inmates. Dyess is serving a 45-year prison sentence for arson, attempted murder and voluntary manslaughter. She was 17 when she set the fire, telling investigators she wanted to kill her stepfather, Brian Street, because of sexual abuse. The fire killed her sister and nephew. Street was later convicted. The Iowa parole board denied her request for early release in July.

Branstad also rejected commutation applications from convicted murderers David Foell in Franklin County and Yvette Louisell in Story County and LeAnn Werts, who was convicted in Polk County of attempted murder and child endangerment.