(WNY News Now) 22 people received mercy today from Governor Kathy Hochul, including 21 pardons and one commutation. This action honors people who show regret, serve as examples of rehabilitation, and show a dedication to bettering both themselves and their communities. Governor Hochul has granted 94 mercy awards since taking office, following the implementation of procedural improvements to fortify the clemency process.
According to Governor Hochul, I put in place a number of reforms as soon as I took office in order to increase the clemency process’s accountability and transparency. To make sure this process is implemented appropriately, I will keep collaborating with law enforcement, victims’ rights organizations, prosecutors, reform advocates, and all other relevant parties.
To increase openness and communication in the clemency process, the Governor’s Office has implemented many measures. In accordance with a new policy, the Executive mercy Bureau will now routinely send letters to those who have applied for mercy, updating them on the status of their cases and offering instructions on how to provide supporting documentation. In order to help clemency applicants with the application process, the Governor’s Office also launched an updated online web hub. This hub offers template clemency application forms for both pardons and commutations, giving potential applicants better guidance on what information to include when they apply.
In order to help advise the governor on clemency applications, the governor also assembled a Clemency Advisory Panel made up of unbiased specialists. Governor Hochul is pardoning 21 people and commuting the sentences of one person in accordance with the Clemency Advisory Panel’s recommendations.
Pardons
All of the people who have been pardoned today have been crime-free for more than ten years, and in many cases, several decades, and have made constructive contributions to their communities. Many of the people who were pardoned today were convicted of crimes while residing in New York State, but they have subsequently moved to other places. The criminal convictions of the pardoned persons have continued to affect their lives. These difficulties will be lessened in part by the governor’s pardons.
For the past 28 years, Tina Belton-Pittman, 57, has been crime-free. In 1996, Ms. Belton-Pittman was found guilty of A Third Degree Attempted Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance.
For 25 years, Sabino De Los Santos, 59, has led a crime-free life. In 1999, Mr. De Los Santos was found guilty of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.
For 29 years, 70-year-old Leroy Byfield has been crime-free. In 1993, Mr. Byfield was found guilty of attempting to possess a controlled substance in the seventh degree.
Greetings For the past 17 years, Padilla Pichardo, 46, has been crime-free. In 2007, Mr. Padilla Pichardo was found guilty of fourth-degree criminal facilitation.
For 23 years, Efigenia Canelo, 61, has led a crime-free life. In 2001, Ms. Canelo was found guilty of third-degree attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance.
For the past 19 years, 42-year-old Jose Zorrilla Filpo has been crime-free. In 2005, Mr. Zorrilla Filpo was found guilty of fourth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance.
For twenty-five years, 62-year-old Julio Cuello Guzman has been free of criminal activity. In 1999, Mr. Cuello Guzman was found guilty of third-degree attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance.
For 20 years, Marlon Baksh, 64, has led a crime-free life. In 2004, Mr. Baksh was found guilty of Fifth Degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance.
For forty-four years, 68-year-old Gene Lovick has been crime-free. In 1980, Mr. Lovick was found guilty of third-degree attempted criminal possession of a weapon.
For 26 years, 45-year-old Ayisha Ingram-Mincey has led a crime-free life. In 1998, Ms. Ingram-Mincey was found guilty of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.
For 46 years, Timothy O. Brien, 74, has led a crime-free life. In 1971, Mr. O. Brien was found guilty of possessing a dangerous drug in the sixth degree, and in 1978, he was found guilty of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree.
For 22 years, 49-year-old Jaime Restrepo has been crime-free. In 2002, Mr. Restrepo was found guilty of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance.
Luis Sanchez, 62, has spent 38 years of his life free from crime. In 1986, he was found guilty of Attempted Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the First Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree.
The 59-year-old Pablo Pulido has been crime-free for 19 years. He was found guilty of attempted third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance in 1987 and third-degree assault in 2005.
Jose Gonzalez, 65, has spent 33 years living a life free from criminal activity. In 1991, Mr. Gonzalez was found guilty of third-degree attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance.
For 35 years, 61-year-old Roderick Johnson has been free of criminal activity. In 1989, Mr. Johnson was found guilty of Third Degree Attempted Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance.
For 23 years, Shivlall Parbhoo, 41, has led a crime-free life. In 2001, Mr. Parbhoo was found guilty of both first-degree and second-degree attempted robbery.
For forty-three years, 62-year-old Herbert Martin has been free of criminal activity. In 1981, Mr. Martin was found guilty of third-degree burglary.
For 13 years, 35-year-old Alyssa Depew has been crime-free. In 2011, Ms. Depew was found guilty of fourth-degree grand larceny.
For 35 years, Troy Stevenson, now 59, has been free of criminal activity. In 1989, Mr. Stevenson was found guilty of third-degree insurance fraud.
Gary Williams, 55, has spent 35 years living a life free from criminal activity. In 1989, Mr. Williams was found guilty of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
Commuting
The person who was given a commutation today has shown regret and a dedication to getting better. He has completed a sizable portion of his first sentence and, in the interim, has begun mentoring others and taking part in initiatives to better both his own and others’ lives.
Trevers Jackson, 57, received a sentence of 25 years to life in prison after being found guilty in 2004 of Enterprise Corruption, Burglary in the Second Degree, and related offenses. He has been serving that sentence for about 22 years. In order for the Parole Board to decide whether Mr. Jackson is eligible for parole, his sentence is being shortened to give him an earlier chance to appear before the board.