photo by: Journal-World

Sarah Gonzales-McLinn listens as her attorney questions a witness during a hearing on her "hard 50" sentence, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019.

A group that’s asking Gov. Laura Kelly to commute the sentence of a woman who killed a man 10 years ago in his Lawrence home will be holding informational meetings about their efforts later this month.

The group claims that the murdered man, 52-year-old Harold “Hal” Sasko, had subjected Sarah Gonzales McLinn, then 19, to many months of emotional, sexual and financial abuse. Gonzales McLinn is currently serving a “hard 25” sentence. Advocates for victims of sexual abuse helped her file an application for clemency in December 2022.

Gonzales McLinn was originally sentenced to 50 years in prison, but in May of 2021, Douglas County Judge Amy Hanley approved an agreement between Gonzales McLinn’s attorney, Jonathan Sternberg, and the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office to void the original sentence and resentence her to the “hard 25,” which allows for the eligibility for parole after 25 years.

The informational meetings are scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. on May 20 at the Lawrence Public Library auditorium and for 6 to 8 p.m. on May 22 at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library auditorium. Though the sessions are open to the public, their content will not be suitable for children, according to the meeting organizers.