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Murphy pardons 33, commutes 3 sentences

It's the first use of his clemency authority

By: Katie Sobko
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey

..... Nearly six months to the day since announcing a clemency imitative, Governor Phil Murphy pardoned or commuted the sentences of 36 people now of formerly incarcerated in New Jersey.
..... The 33 pardons and three commutations granted by Murphy on Monday [12/16/2024] followed a review process that included consideration from the clemency Advisory Board, which was created as apart of the governor's initiative.
..... "As we rededicated ourselves to ensuring New Jersey is the state for second chances ... we have embarked on a fair, thoughtful and impartial process for identifying New Jerseyans who have been trapped in our justice system and who will now, with the steps we're taking today, [12/16/2024] receive legal relief and have the opportunity to get their lives back on track," Murphy said.
..... The crimes with which the pardoned individuals had been charged range from drug possession to burglary and larceny. all pardon recipients have been free from criminal justice system involvement for more than 10 years.
..... A pardon odes not erase the facts underlying a criminal conviction, but rather officially forgives the recipient and relieves them of certain collateral consequences that flow from a conviction. Unlike a pardon, a commutation does not forgive the recipient for their conduct but reduces the sentence they are currently serving.
..... Murphy announced the clemency initiative in June [2024] at St. James A.M.E. Church in Newark. He said at the time that the initiative was a way to ensure that the justice process is fairer and more accessible. he then signed an executive order to make access to expedited consideration for pardons and commutations more widespread, because historically such opportunities have been part of a politician structure instead of best practices.
..... The order established categories for pending and future clemency applications to receive expedited review during the remainder of Murphy's time in office.
..... "Our nation's journey toward racial justice has proceeded in fits and starts,' Murphy said on Juneteenth. "Over the course of the 20th century, Black and brown Americans won victories in the fight for civil rights like the rite to vote, but at the same time we also witnessed the emergence of new systems of oppression.
..... He called mass incarceration the "most glaring" for the "devastation and despair" it has caused in communities throughout the country.
..... The state constitution allows for the governor to issue pardons and commutations at their discretion. Those announced Monday [12/16/2024] were the first pardons or commutations of Murphy's seven-year administration. he said more will come.

Meek Mill, Kardashian advocacy

..... Murphy credited celebrity activists meek Mill and Kim Kardashian for their effort to bring awareness to clemency initiatives.
..... On Monday, [12/16/2024] Kardashian thank Murphy in a statement, saying "by granting these clemencies today, you're shown that we can choose redemption over condemnation," going on to point out that there are :countless others who deserve the same chance, and I'm grateful for your pledge to expedite and expand clemencies so more lives can be reclaimed."

Who was pardoned?

..... The people being granted pardons are:
* Shauka a. Azad - Arrested and sentenced in 1999 for terroristic threats. Arrested in 2003 and sentenced in 2004 for trademark counterfeiting.
* Abdur Azim - Arrested and sentenced in 1986 for shoplifting. Arrested and sentenced in 1989 for possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance. Arrested in 1990 and sentenced in 1991 for robbery.
* Richard C. Barthlemess Jr. - Arrested in 1987 and sentenced in 1989 for precession of a controlled dangerous substance, Arrested in 19888 and sentenced in 1989 for possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance.
* Albert Baruffi - Arrested in 1971 and sentenced in 1972 for larceny. Arrested in 1984 and sentenced in 1986 for two counts of possession with intend to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, two counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance and one count of conspiracy.
* Richard Best - Arrested in 1983 and sentenced in 1984 for burglary and larceny. Arrested in 1985 and sentenced in 1986 for possession of a controlled dangerous substance.
* Samera Bishop - Arrested in 2002 and sentence in 2003 for manufacturing, distributing or dispensing a controlled endogenous substance and possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance within 500 feet of a public housing authority. Arrested and sentenced in 2003 for manufacturing, distributing or dispensing a controlled dangerous substance. Arrested and sentenced in 2003 for possession of a controlled dangerous substance.
* Raymond W. Blanks - Arrested and sentenced in 1991 for distribution of a controlled dangerous substance within 1,000 feet of a school zone. Arrested in 2000 and sentenced in 2001 for possession of a controlled dangerous substance.
* Hugh L. Carter - Arrested in 1987 and sentence in 1989 for possession with intent to distribute a controlled dang ours substance. Arrested in 1987 and sentenced in 1989 for possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance.
* Paul M. Chiang - arrested in 2005 and sentenced in 2006 for fraudulent use of a cordite card.
* Luisa M. Cornielle - Arrested in 2004 and sentenced in 2005 for conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance. Arrested and sentenced in 2010 for disorderly conduct.
* Alvaro C. Coreia Jr. - Arrested and sentenced in 1995 for aggravated arson and receiving stolen property.
* Calvin Cuavers - Arrested in 1978 and sentenced in 1979 for aiding and abetting robbery. Arrested in 2008 and sentenced in 2009 for disorderly conduct. Arrested in 2009 and sentenced in 2010 for obstructing administration of law or other governmental functions.
* Michelle Cutler - Arrested in 2000 and sentenced in 2001 for endangering the welfare of a child and use of drug paraphernalia. Arrested and sentenced in 2002 for possession of a controlled dangerous substance.
* Dave K. Daniels Jr. - Arrested in 1989 and sentenced in 1990 for possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance. Arrested and sentenced in 1995 for possession of a controlled dangerous substance.
* Charles DeFrancesco - arrested in 1993 and sentenced in 1995 for possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance.
* roger Dewey - Arrested in 1973 and sentence in 1974 for possession of a controlled dangerous substance.
* Jose A Diaz-Garma - Arrested in 1986 and sentenced in 1989 for possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance.
* Jenny M Edwards - Arrested in 1989 and sentenced in 1990 for possession of a controlled dangerous substance

* Quadir Evans - Arrested in 1983 and sentenced in 1984 for possession of a controlled dangerous substance. Arrested and sentenced in 1986 and recentness in 1987 for possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance and unlawful possession of a weapon. Arrested in 1990 and sentenced in 1991 for unlawful possession of a weapon.
* Ryan Fahey - Arrested in 2006 and sentenced in 2008 for conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance and possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance.
* George W. Fischer - Arrested in 1974 and sentenced in 1975 for shoplifting. Arrested in 1976 and sentenced in 1977 for robbery and conspiracy.
* David Florian - Arrested in 1995 and sentence in 1997 for possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance.
* Gregory J. Fuhs - Arrested in 1988 and sentenced in 1990 for possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance.
* Dramane Goita - Arrested in 1994 and sentenced in 1995 for possession with intent to distributer a controlled dangers substance.
* Natasha Hawkins-Braxton - Arrested and sentenced in 1995 for possession wiht intnet ot distribute a controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance within 1,00 feet of a school zone, and unlawful possession of a weapon.
* Calvin J, Henry - Arrested in 1988 and sentenced in 1992 for unlawful possession of a weapon and conspiracy to possess a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute.
* Tyrone S. Howard - Arrested in 2009 and sentenced in 2011 for making a false report top law enforcement.
* Karyl A Hnibbs - Arrested and sentence in 1994 for possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance.
* Jerry Lee Lassiter - Arrested and sentenced in 1989 for possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance.
* Radames Lopez - Arrested in 1995 and sentenced in 1996 for possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance.
* Henry Martinez - Arrested and sentenced in 19999 for distribution of a controlled dangerous substance within 1,000 feet of a school zone. arrested and sentenced in 2001 for receiving stolen property.
* James F. Mercer - Arrested in 1988 and sentenced in 1990 for receiving a stolen vehicle.
* Humberto Portuondo - Arrested and sentenced in 1986 for conspiracy to possess a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute.
..... The governor's office noted that these pardon recipients include military veterans, faith leaders, small-business owners and people who work or volunteer in settings where they provide support for individuals with substance use disorders or with criminal histories.

Whose terms were commuted?

..... The three people having their sentenced commuted were all convinced of murder:
1. Myrna Diaz was arrested in 2006 and sentenced in 2010 to 40 years with 34 years of parole ineligibility followed by five years of post-incarceration parole supervision. Diaz will be released from prison and begin a five-year period of parole supervision., She was convicted of murder for beating her boyfriend to death.
2. Dawn Jackson was arrested in 1999 and sentenced in 1999 to 30 years without parole eligibility. Jackson will be released form prison and begin a period of parole supervision until march 23, 2029. She was convicted of murder. Her story garnered national attention after it was featured on Kardashian's "The Justice Project" series on the Oxygen network.
3. Denise staple was arrested in 2001 and sentenced in 2004 to 60 years with 51 years of parole ineligibility followed by five years of post-incarceration parole supervision. Staples will be released from prison and begin a five-year period of parole supervision. she was convicted of murder for stabbing someone in what her attorneys argued was self-defense.
..... Jackson's daughter, Loreale Wilson, said the commutation awarded by Murphy gave her the 'ability to understand what perseverance looks like, what it means to be resilient through difficult times and to keep striving no matter what life may throw at you."

..... Katie Sobko covers the New Jersey Statehouse. Email sobko@northjersey.com.

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