NJ Governor Pardons Dozens Of Ex-Inmates: ‘Redemption Is Achievable’

NEW JERSEY — Gov. Phil Murphy flexed some serious “pardon power” on Monday, granting clemency to dozens of former prison inmates in New Jersey who have turned their lives around for the better.

The governor announced that he is granting clemency to 36 people. Recipients include U.S. military veterans, religious leaders and small business owners (see the full list below).

Clemency can take several forms, including pardons, reprieves, the suspension of fines/forfeitures and commutations – which can mean an early release from jail.

Some of the people who received clemency are victims of domestic or sexual violence or sex trafficking who were incarcerated for committing a crime against the perpetrator. Some got unfair sentences due to the War on Drugs or “excessive trial penalties.” Others were jailed for non-violent crimes and have paid their debts to society. But they all have something in common, advocates say: they’ve shown they deserve a second chance.

“Today, we rededicate ourselves to ensuring that New Jersey is the state for second chances,” Murphy said. “It is my honor as governor to recognize the efforts each of them have made to prove that – in this country – redemption is achievable.”

Monday’s announcement also got a thumbs-up from Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way.

“As a former judge, I am proud to be a part of an administration that understands justice is not just about punishment, it is also about rehabilitation and second chances,” Way said.

Loreale Wilson, the daughter of Dawn Jackson, said that her mother is “resilient, dedicated and fearless” – and that she’s earned her commutation.

“She never gave up the good fight and that’s why I stand here today on her behalf,” Wilson said. “What this means for me, I can’t begin to put into words, but that I am completely speechless, overwhelmed with joy, and can’t wait to experience all that God has for us.”

This week’s wave of clemency in New Jersey comes after President Joe Biden announced that he was commuting the sentences of 1,500 Americans earlier this month. Biden also pardoned more than three dozen other people on the federal level, including his son, Hunter Biden.

• See Related: Biden Commutes 1,500 Sentences, Pardons 39 In Largest-Ever Clemency
• See Related: Biden Pardons His Son Hunter Despite Previous Pledges Not To

Violent crime in New Jersey ticked up slightly in 2023, according to the most recent data from the FBI. However, the state’s number of violent crimes is drastically lower that the levels seen in the 1980s and 1990s. Read More: NJ Is 'Safest' State In Nation For Violent Crime, Study Says

PARDONS AND COMMUTATIONS: THE LIST

According to the governor’s office, three people were granted commutations of their prison sentences:

• Myrna Diaz – Arrested in 2006 and convicted of murder, robbery, two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon, two counts of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, burglary, credit card theft, and conspiracy to commit robbery. Sentenced in 2010 to a term of incarceration of 40 years with 34 years of parole ineligibility followed by five years of post-incarceration parole supervision. Ms. Diaz will be released from prison and begin a five-year period of parole supervision.
• Dawn Jackson – Arrested in 1999 and convicted of murder. Sentenced in 1999 to a term of incarceration of 30 years without parole eligibility. Ms. Jackson will be released from prison and begin a period of parole supervision until March 23, 2029.
• Denise Staples – Arrested in 2001 and convicted of murder and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. Sentenced in 2004 to a term of incarceration of 60 years with 51 years of parole ineligibility followed by five years of post-incarceration parole supervision. Ms. Staples will be released from prison and begin a five-year period of parole supervision.

Meanwhile, 33 people received pardons from the governor’s office. All of them have been free from criminal justice system involvement for more than 10 years:

Shaukat 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 possession of a controlled dangerous substance. Arrested in 1988 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 intent 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 sentenced in 2003 for manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing a controlled dangerous 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 sentenced in 1989 for possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous 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 credit 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. Correia, 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 function.

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 sentenced 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 for receiving stolen property. Arrested in 1986 and sentenced 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 sentenced 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 distribute a controlled dangerous substance.

Natasha Hawkins-Braxton – Arrested and sentenced in 1995 for possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance within 1,000 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 to law enforcement.

Karyl A. Knibbs – 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 1999 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.

CLEMENCY IN NEW JERSEY

Earlier this year, Murphy said that his administration would be fast-tracking pardons and commutations for eligible prison inmates and parolees. His executive order laid out several categories of cases that have a shot at clemency:

• Victims of domestic or sexual violence or sex trafficking who are incarcerated for committing a crime against the perpetrator
• People who were given sentences with an “excessive trial penalty”
• People found guilty of certain non-violent convictions if they have “remained free from justice system involvement for a sufficient time”

Some people who may be eligible for expedited review include those who committed crimes before they turned 25 and did not reoffend. Others include people who got slapped with long prison sentences during the War on Drugs.

A Clemency Advisory Board reviews each application and passes on a recommendation to the governor – who has the authority to give it a thumbs-up or thumbs-down.

Murphy’s executive order leverages a little-used but powerful clause in New Jersey’s Constitution, which gives the governor broad discretion to issue pardons and commutations for state criminal convictions.

It’s a powerful tool that the governor’s office has used sparingly in recent history – and which Murphy hasn’t used at all since taking up the hot seat in 2018.

From 1994 to January 2022, only 105 people received clemency in New Jersey. More than half of those came from former Republican governor Chris Christie, who preceded Murphy in the governor’s office and issued 55 clemency orders during his tenure.

Meanwhile, governors in other states, like Pennsylvania, Oregon, and Missouri, have issued hundreds or thousands of pardons and commutations in recent years.

More than 155,000 people are currently incarcerated in prison or jails, or under community supervision through parole or probation in New Jersey.

• See Related: NJ Governor Should Issue More Pardons To Prisoners, Advocates Say
• See Related: NJ Prison Population Is Creeping Up After A Decade Of Decline
• See Related: NJ Latino Caucus Backs Murphy’s Plan For Prison Pardons

Think you may have a case deserving of a pardon in New Jersey? The governor’s office has created a website where people can learn more about the plan or apply for clemency online (learn more here).

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