OLYMPIA, Wash – A man convicted of killing another man in front of his wife and infant child will not be released early from prison, despite the clemency board’s approval to do so.
Travis Comeslast killed Christopher Gongyin in 1996. Gongyin was sleeping in bed with his wife and baby when Comeslast came in and shot him point blank in the head.
The bullet also burned the infant child’s leg.
Comeslast was sentenced to 46 years in prison for murder and robbery and has served 29 years of that sentence.
He recently told a public radio reporter that the shooting was an accident and that he has formed a new life in prison.
The article cited his leadership role in the prison and also cultural contributions, like working with other Indigenous men and also working as a master beekeeper.
Earlier this year, he asked the Washington State Clemency and Pardons board to grant him early release.
Spokane County Prosecutor Preston McCollam urged the board not to release Comeslast, saying “While Mr. Comeslast is entitled to make this request, I submit to you that it comes at a cost and a price to the crime victims who survived his actions. They must continually undergo the trauma and emotional turmoil as they watch this process unfold. Unlike Mr. Comeslast, they in fact received a life sentence.”
In March, the board voted 3-1 to recommend his release.
The decision is ultimately, though, up to Washington Governor Bob Ferguson.
This week, Gov. Ferguson overruled the board, denying Comeslast’s request for clemency.
The Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office shared the governor’s decision in a news release, saying the governor cited the surviving victims’ opposition to Comeslast’s release.
“We are hopeful the survivors in this case can have some measure of peace with the Governor’s decision,” McCollam said.
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