Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, Tuesday, denied five prisoners’ applications for commutation of their sentences. Among them was 40-year old Edgar M. Cardona, who committed his crime on November 11th, 2003, in Pottawattamie County. Cardona is currently serving a twenty-five year sentence for first-degree robbery.

The Governor also denied 81-year old Earl Thompson‘s request for commutation. Thompson committed his crime on January 21st, 1961, in Dallas County. He is currently serving a life sentence for first-degree murder.

Commutation denotes the modification or reduction of a punishment. Under Iowa law, first-degree murder is punishable by life in prison without parole. Branstad has commuted only three life sentences during his 20 years in office.