Gov. Murphy Pardons 40 More People In NJ As His Term Enters Final Months

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced another wave of clemency actions on Tuesday, pardoning 40 people for their crimes.

Those getting pardons included several people convicted for minor drug offenses, or low-level violations like shoplifting and disorderly conduct. Others were convicted of more serious crimes, such as robbery or aggravated assault. See the full list of pardons and charges below.

“As the ‘State for Second Chances,’ we pride ourselves on recognizing the power of redemption,” Murphy said.

“Extending this opportunity for a new beginning is one of the greatest responsibilities I hold as governor – and one that I do not take lightly,” he added.

This week’s pardons were done under the authority of an executive order that Murphy issued in 2024, which prioritizes clemency requests from non-violent offenders who have remained free from justice system involvement for a “sufficient time.” Other people who have been put at the front of the line include who are serving sentences that reflect an “excessive trial penalty,” and victims of domestic violence or sex trafficking who committed a crime against their abuser.

Since Murphy signed the order in June 2024, the governor’s office has received more than 4,500 applications for clemency. With close to 170 pardons and commutations issued to date, it’s more than the combined total of New Jersey’s governors over the last 30 years.

• Read More: NJ Governor Pardons Dozens Of Ex-Inmates, Says ‘Redemption Is Achievable’
• Read More: Gov. Murphy Issues More Pardons In New Jersey (See The List)

For people like Clourer Grady – a 72-year-old woman who was convicted of several drug offenses that took place between 1989 and 1993 – it is the culmination of a years-long quest for redemption.

After serving a short prison sentence, Grady realized the damage her substance use was having on her life and entered treatment. She eventually became a certified drug and alcohol counselor for Trinitas Regional Medical Center, retiring in 2017 – and helping many other people struggling with addiction to reconnect with their families.

“Any time I think about receiving a pardon I start to cry,” Grady said.

“After four years of attempting to clear my record, to hear the governor tell me that he is signing into effect a full pardon with my name on it is a true blessing,” Grady continues. “It makes these last 30 years of just being a productive member of society and using my time to help others feel so rewarding.”

The wave of pardons announced Tuesday got a thumbs-up from Bishop Joshua Rodriguez, chair of the state’s Clemency Advisory Board.

“Clemency is not about overlooking mistakes – it is about recognizing transformation, redemption and the power of a second chance,” Rodriguez attested.

Crime dropped in New Jersey in 2024 and plunged nationwide, according to the latest statistics from the FBI. The Garden State saw 20,684 violent crimes with a population of 9,500,851 residents last year – a rate of 217.7 per 100,000 people. That’s down from 225.3 per 100,000 people in 2023. The state’s violent crime totals were below the national rate, which came to 359.1 per 100,000 people. See Related: Is Crime Up Or Down In New Jersey? Here’s What FBI Data Shows

The statewide violent crime data mirrors trends seen in New Jersey’s two largest cities: Newark and Jersey City. See Related: 2 Largest Cities In NJ Are Seeing Big Drops In Murders, Shootings

According to the state’s Office of Legislative Services, it cost about $50,590 to house an inmate in a state prison facility in 2019. Read More: NJ Releases 800 Prison Inmates – And The $148 Per Day It Costs To House Them

WHO WAS PARDONED?

The following people were granted a pardon by Gov. Murphy on Tuesday:

1. Alzapiedi, Leigh: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2005
2. Brown, Shaib: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1988; possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1989; possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1991; theft, sentenced in 1994
3. Cruz, Emily: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1991; violation of probation, sentenced in 1998
4. Denis, Alain: receiving stolen property, sentenced in 1985; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1987; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1990; resisting arrest and possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1990; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1991; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1991; violation of probation, sentenced in 1992; unlawful possession of a weapon, sentenced in 1992; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1999; possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a school zone and firearms regulatory violation, sentenced in 1996
5. Duckett, Tyrone: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2005
6. Falletta, Nicholas: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, 2005; violation of probation, 2008; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, 2008
7. Forte, Stacey: shoplifting, sentenced 2010; criminal trespass and shoplifting, sentenced in 2010; attempt to obtain controlled dangerous substance by fraud, sentenced in 2011; possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia, sentenced in 2011; violation of probation, sentenced in 2013
8. Gaston, Steven: possession of a prohibited weapon, sentenced in 1996
9. Goss, Rodney: possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1987; violation of probation, sentenced in 1988; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1988
10. Grady, Clourer: possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1990; possession, sentenced in 1991; violation of probation, 1993; distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1993
11. Granzow, Timothy: disorderly conduct, sentenced in 1998; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1999; violation of probation, sentenced in 1999; possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1999; possession of drug paraphernalia, sentenced in 1999; possession of drug paraphernalia, sentenced in 1999; theft, sentenced in 1998; theft, sentenced in 1999; distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2010
12. Hilaire, Patrice: local ordinance violations, sentenced in 2002; two counts of distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2006
13. Ibrahim, Mario: shoplifting, sentenced in 1995; robbery, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon, sentenced in 1997; unlawful possession of a weapon, sentenced in 1997
14. Jackson, Schulyer: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, 2012
15. Kelsey, Linda: possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1975; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1977; shoplifting and two counts of possession of narcotics equipment, sentenced in 1987; possession of narcotics equipment, sentenced in 1989; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1989; possession of narcotics equipment, sentenced in 1989; distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1989; distribution of a controlled dangerous substance within a school zone, sentenced in 2016
16. Kornacki, Jr., David Benjamin: theft, sentenced in 2002; two counts of aggravated assault and hindering, sentenced in 2003; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2005; violation of probation, sentenced in 2007; hindering, sentenced in 2006
17. Lascala, Christopher: robbery, sentenced in 2013
18. Majette, Jr., Wilbert: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1990; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1990
19. Matthews, Chanti: two counts of receiving stolen property, sentenced in 1999
20. Matunda, III, William: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1996
21. McAllister, Naquan: robbery, sentenced in 2008; distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2009; theft, sentenced in 2011; local ordinance violations, sentenced in 2019
22. McCoy, Charlotte: possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2010
23. Millan, Jr., Anthony: theft, sentenced in 2004; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2007
24. Monserrate, Pedro: aggravated assault, sentenced in 2000; unlicensed entry, sentenced in 2005; defiant trespass, sentenced in 2005
25. Muro, Scott: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2010
26. Petruska, John: conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1998
27. Reid, Denise: possession of narcotics equipment and a drug-related offense, sentenced in 1972; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1974; shoplifting, sentenced in 1974; robbery and committing an offense while armed, sentenced in 1975; shoplifting, sentenced in 1975; shoplifting, sentenced in 1975; shoplifting, sentenced in 1976; shoplifting, sentenced in 1977
28. Roberts, Fronz: two counts of possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1989; receiving stolen property, sentenced in 1989; violations of probation, sentenced in 1990; distribution within a school zone, sentenced in 1990
29. Roche, Kyle: aggravated assault, sentenced in 2005; theft, trespass, and wandering to obtain a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2013; ordinance violations and wandering to obtain a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2014; possession, sentenced in 2015; obstruction, sentenced in 2015; violation of probation, sentenced in 2016
30. Salek, Robert: larceny and burglary, sentenced in 1972; fraud, sentenced in 1975
31. Saralvarez, Alejandro: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, 1989
32. Sarappa, Joseph: robbery, sentenced in 1982
33. Skakur-Purvis, Markim: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1990; possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1991; possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1999; attempt to tamper with witness, sentenced in 1999
34. Shelton, Marc: possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1994; possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia, sentenced in 1994; wandering to obtain a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1998
35. Thompson, Charles: six counts of breaking and entering, sentenced in 1977
36. Throckmorton, Raymond: possession of narcotics equipment, 1973; possession, 1978
37. Tursi, Matthew: receiving stolen property, sentenced in 2012; receiving stolen property, sentenced in 2012; possession of narcotics equipment, sentenced in 2012
38. Waller, Tanell: unlawful possession of a weapon, sentenced in 1996; possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance within a school zone, sentenced in 1998; possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance within a school zone and possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1998; possession of drug paraphernalia, sentenced in 2002; wandering to obtain a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2011; wandering to obtain a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2011; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2011
39. Woolfolk, Richard: receiving stolen property, sentenced in 1998; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1998; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2000; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance within a school zone, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance near a public facility, sentenced in 2001
40. Worthington, Rachel: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2001

TRUMP PARDONS IN NEW JERSEY

Murphy isn’t the only politician to recently make headlines in New Jersey with a pardon announcement.

Earlier this year, President Donald Trump pardoned more than 1,500 people charged in connection with the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, including 46 from New Jersey. Trump also commuted the sentences of another 14 people, including leaders of the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys.

The president said the pardons will end “a grave national injustice that has been perpetrated upon the American people over the last four years” and begin “a process of national reconciliation.”

Murphy was among those who criticized the move, calling it a “dark moment for our country.” However, a New Jersey resident who was at the Capitol and pleaded guilty to several charges argued otherwise, saying that “every single Jan. 6er deserves full expungements across the board.”

• See Related: Dozens Of Jan. 6 Defendants From NJ Pardoned In Trump’s First Official Act

Trump has previously expressed support for criminal justice reform, including the bipartisan First Step Act of 2018, which expanded job training and other programs that reduce recidivism rates among federal prisoners. The law also expanded early-release programs and changed sentencing laws, including mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent drug offenders.

“Our whole nation benefits if former inmates are able to reenter society as productive, law-abiding citizens,” Trump said when the legislation hit his desk during his first term.

“America is the greatest country in the world and my job is to fight for all citizens, even those who have made mistakes,” he tweeted. “This will keep our communities safer, and provide hope and a second chance, to those who earn it. In addition to everything else, billions of dollars will be saved.”

• See Related: When Trump And Cory Booker Agreed: 5 Years Of ‘First Steps’
• See Related: Ambitious Writer, Loving Dad Get 'Second Chance' From NJ Pardons

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.