Governor Kathy Hochul has granted clemency to 13 individuals, including 11 pardons and two commutations. The decision follows recommendations from a Clemency Advisory Panel made up of independent experts.
“After thoughtful consideration and analysis by a panel of independent experts, I am granting clemency to 13 individuals who have demonstrated remorse, rehabilitation and improvement in themselves and their communities,” Governor Hochul said. “Since taking office, my Administration has made significant changes to New York’s clemency program to make the process more effective, fair, and transparent, and I remain committed to working with law enforcement, victims’ rights groups, prosecutors and reform advocates to ensure a fair and responsible clemency process for all individuals seeking relief in New York.”
The Governor’s Office has introduced several measures aimed at improving transparency in the clemency process. These include regular updates sent by the Executive Clemency Bureau to applicants about their case status and information on submitting additional materials. An updated online web hub was also launched to guide applicants through the process with template forms.
The Clemency Advisory Panel assists the Governor by reviewing applications before decisions are made.
Those receiving pardons have generally lived crime-free for over 25 years and contributed positively to their communities. Some recipients were convicted while living in New York but now reside elsewhere. Despite completing their sentences long ago, they continue to face consequences related to their convictions; the pardons are intended to ease these burdens.
Among those pardoned are Peter Asan (convicted of attempted robbery in 1989), Rolando Perdomo (assault in 1988; drug offenses in 1985), Vivian Jackson (multiple drug-related offenses between 1992-1999), Dolly Castrillon (drug offense in 1996), Jawid Naim (robbery in 1995), Michael Elias (drug and weapon offenses in 1988), Sixto Carrasquillo Jr. (weapon offense in 1988), Edwin Buxo (drug offense in 1997), Denise De Simone Fierro (drug sales convictions from 1987), Dr. Eduardo Rocha (drug possession conviction from 1986) and Ruben Lindo (grand larceny convictions from 2007 and 2012).
Two commutations were also granted:
Terrance Cole was convicted of four counts of burglary in the second degree in 2014 after struggling with substance use following military service. He has served over eleven years of a twenty-year-to-life sentence. His sentence is being reduced so he can appear before the Board of Parole earlier than originally scheduled.
Raphael Jackson was convicted on weapons charges as a persistent offender after experiencing domestic violence and addiction as a youth. He has served more than ten years without disciplinary infractions while working as a Chaplain’s clerk and law library assistant during his incarceration. His sentence is also being commuted for an earlier parole hearing.
Since implementing reforms designed to strengthen procedural fairness within New York’s clemency system, Governor Hochul has issued a total of 120 grants of clemency during her tenure.