Pardons

September 30, 2009 -- AUSTIN – Texas Governor Rick Perry today granted a pardon for innocence to James Lee Woodard after DNA testing proved he did not sexually assault or murder Beverly Ann Jones in 1980. DNA testing was not available at the time the crime was committed.

“James Lee Woodard was wrongfully convicted for a crime he did not commit,” Perry said. “My action today cannot give back the time he spent in prison, but it does end this miscarriage of justice.”    » read more »

First Step in Ending Massive Case Backlog

CHICAGO – April 10, 2009 -- Illinois Governor Pat Quinn today approved 11 clemency petitions. This is the first in a series of clemency decisions aimed at ending a massive backlog of nearly 2,500 cases that built up during the previous administration.

“Justice delayed is justice denied,” said Governor Quinn. “My administration is fully-committed to erasing this shameful log jam of cases in a methodical manner and with all deliberate speed.”

The 11 clemency petitions approved by Governor Quinn are part of 31 cases from the January 2003 docket. Each person granted clemency has recently undergone a criminal background check.    » read more »

Mar 6, 2009 -- LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe today announced his intent to grant 12 pardons. An additional 13 clemency requests were denied and 27 had no action taken upon them. These include requests from both inmates and non-inmates.

The 12 applicants intended for pardons have completed all jail time, fulfilled all parole-and-probationary requirements and paid all fines related to their sentences. There is a 30-day waiting period to receive public feedback on the pardons before final action is taken.

Governor Beebe intends to grant pardons to the following people:

LaJuana Allen Brimley (Little Rock): Theft of Property    » read more »

November 20, 2007 -- THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Welcome to the Rose Garden. Thanks for coming. We're glad you're here at the White House. Each of you is taking part in a tradition that goes back to the days of Harry Truman. And to paraphrase Harry today, we have a message for our two feathered friends: You cannot take the heat -- and you're definitely going to stay out of the kitchen.    » read more »

Sep 28, 2007 -- LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe today announced his intent to grant 23 pardons from a total of 139 clemency applications. This notice begins a 30-day waiting period to receive public feedback on the pardons before final action is taken. Beebe denied 49 requests from inmates for commutations or other forms of clemency and took no action on an additional 16 inmate requests. He also denied or took no action on 51 non-inmate pardon applications.

Governor Beebe intends to grant pardons to the following people:    » read more »

Aug 10, 2007 -- LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe today announced his intent to grant two pardons from a total of 107 clemency applications. This notice begins a 30-day waiting period to receive public feedback on the pardons before final action is taken. Beebe denied 58 requests from inmates for commutations or other forms of clemency and took no action on an additional 43 inmate requests. He also denied three applications for pardons received from inmates and took no action on one non-inmate pardon application.

Governor Beebe intends to grant pardons to the following people:    » read more »