No pardon urged for Goldberg

OLYMPIA – A former Newport, Wash., man should not be pardoned for helping slay his former son-in-law, a state board has recommended.

The Clemency and Pardons Board recommended unanimously last week that Gov. Chris Gregoire not grant a pardon and early release to Morris “Mel” Goldberg, who is serving almost 27 years for his part in the 1991 slaying of Peter Zeihen. The final decision, which may take months a spokeswoman said, is up to Gregoire.

“The governor has never, to this date, approved a petition for clemency against the recommendation of the board,” Melynda Campbell, of the governor’s office, said.

Goldberg, 78, was convicted in 2000 of driving the getaway car that fled the scene after his ex-wife Joann Peterson killed Zeihen with a shotgun blast to the head. Zeihen was in his car in the Spokane Valley home’s driveway.