In his final acts of executive clemency, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper brings hope to individuals who have spent decades behind bars through an unprecedented series of pardons and commutations.
According to The Associated Press, the outgoing governor has granted commutations to six individuals serving extended prison sentences and issued pardons of innocence to two others who were wrongfully convicted.
The pardons of innocence were awarded to Mark Crotts and Darron Carmon, both of whom served time for crimes they didn't commit. These pardons now enable them to seek financial compensation through the North Carolina Industrial Commission for their wrongful imprisonment.
Four of the commutations resulted from recommendations by a special board established during Cooper's second term.
This board specifically reviews cases of individuals sentenced for crimes committed while they were minors. The recipients include George Lesane, Donte Santiago, Kirston Angell, and Terence Smith, who have collectively served decades in prison.
Governor Cooper expressed his commitment to justice reform, stating:
Ensuring careful review of cases while taking executive clemency action is a responsibility I take seriously. All of these individuals are deserving of clemency and we will continue to work to protect our communities and improve the fairness of our criminal justice system.
The commutations reflect careful consideration of rehabilitation efforts and institutional behavior demonstrated by each individual during their incarceration.
Two additional commutations were granted to individuals sentenced in the 1990s under specific legal provisions. Penny Jarrett and Jesse Graham, both serving life sentences without parole for murders in Guilford County, received commutations following recommendations from judges and the parole board. Their cases fell under a now-repealed law that allowed sentence reviews after 25 years.
The review process considered various factors, including the offenders' participation in rehabilitation programs and their behavior while incarcerated. These commutations demonstrate the evolution of the criminal justice system's approach to long-term sentences.
The pardons of innocence represent particularly compelling cases of justice delayed but ultimately served. Mark Crotts, initially convicted of murdering an elderly couple in Alamance County in 1990, served two years before being acquitted in a retrial. Darron Carmon, now a pastor, spent over seven years in prison for a robbery conviction that was later vacated when new evidence emerged.
These cases highlight the importance of continued review and oversight in the criminal justice system. The pardons provide not just freedom but also the opportunity for financial restitution through the state's established processes.
Governor Roy Cooper's final clemency actions have impacted eight individuals in North Carolina's criminal justice system, including six serving lengthy sentences for serious crimes and two who were wrongfully convicted. The decisions came after thorough reviews by specialized boards, judges, and the state parole commission.
The commutations and pardons will result in immediate parole eligibility for some recipients, scheduled releases for others, and the opportunity for financial compensation for those wrongfully convicted. These actions represent Cooper's commitment to criminal justice reform while recognizing rehabilitation efforts and addressing past judicial errors.
