From Local 3 News: Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced Thursday, December 18, that he has granted executive clemency to 33 individuals across the state. Country music star Jelly Roll, legally named Jason DeFord, was among those pardoned.
“After thoroughly reviewing the merits of each case, I have decided to grant 33 individuals executive clemency,” said Gov. Lee. “Each individual case is unique and warranted consideration, and I thank the Board of Parole members for their thoughtful recommendations throughout this process.”
According to the governor’s office, executive clemency decisions are made in consultation with the Tennessee Board of Parole, which provides non-binding recommendations for each applicant. Individuals who applied for clemency but were not included in this round remain eligible for future consideration.
All clemency granted in this action comes in the form of pardons. A pardon is an official statement of forgiveness and is awarded to individuals who have completed their sentences and have lived in their communities for at least five years. The governor did not grant exonerations or commutations in this round of decisions.
The following individuals received pardons:
Janet Babb, Shawn Baker, Shawn Boss, Thomas Braly, Monty Burks, Grant Burnside, Jason DeFord, Lanisha Edmond, Andy Giron-Freay, Melissa Halpin, Edward Hayes, Willie Horton, Jeffrey Jackson, Joshua Jarvis, Nathan Jones, Jeffrey Kimbel, Jeffrey Kottler, Kristy Locklear, Robert McEwen, Temeka Nixon, William Reed, Alan Roberts, Hector Ruiz, Angela Sellers, Clark Shepherd, Erika Smith, Jessica Stanley, Matthew Wade, Anthony Walton, Kennda Watkins, Clay Watkins, Steven Welch, and Tenisha Woods.
“After thoroughly reviewing the merits of each case, I have decided to grant 33 individuals executive clemency,” said Gov. Lee. “Each individual case is unique and warranted consideration, and I thank the Board of Parole members for their thoughtful recommendations throughout this process.”
According to the governor’s office, executive clemency decisions are made in consultation with the Tennessee Board of Parole, which provides non-binding recommendations for each applicant. Individuals who applied for clemency but were not included in this round remain eligible for future consideration.
All clemency granted in this action comes in the form of pardons. A pardon is an official statement of forgiveness and is awarded to individuals who have completed their sentences and have lived in their communities for at least five years. The governor did not grant exonerations or commutations in this round of decisions.
The following individuals received pardons:
Janet Babb, Shawn Baker, Shawn Boss, Thomas Braly, Monty Burks, Grant Burnside, Jason DeFord, Lanisha Edmond, Andy Giron-Freay, Melissa Halpin, Edward Hayes, Willie Horton, Jeffrey Jackson, Joshua Jarvis, Nathan Jones, Jeffrey Kimbel, Jeffrey Kottler, Kristy Locklear, Robert McEwen, Temeka Nixon, William Reed, Alan Roberts, Hector Ruiz, Angela Sellers, Clark Shepherd, Erika Smith, Jessica Stanley, Matthew Wade, Anthony Walton, Kennda Watkins, Clay Watkins, Steven Welch, and Tenisha Woods.
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