Murphy grants 48 pardons and commutations in latest round of clemency, bringing total to 217

PRINCETON, N.J. — Governor Phil Murphy on Monday announced his fourth round of clemency actions, granting 19 commutations and 29 pardons as part of his administration’s ongoing initiative to expand second chances for individuals involved in the justice system. The latest actions bring the total to 217 clemency grants over the past 16 months, which Murphy said reflects his administration’s commitment to “justice for all.”

“As Governor, one of the greatest responsibilities I hold is the ability to extend second chances to individuals who have made a commitment to rehabilitating their lives,” Murphy said. “With this fourth round of clemency actions, we uphold one of our nation’s oldest and most fundamental principles: justice for all.”

Murphy made the announcement at Princeton University, where students participating in the Princeton Clemency Project helped prepare petitions for incarcerated individuals eligible for clemency under Executive Order No. 362, which created New Jersey’s first Clemency Advisory Board in 2024.

Lt. Governor Tahesha Way praised the initiative for changing “the lives of over 200 families,” while Bishop Joshua Rodriguez, chair of the board, said the governor’s actions “reaffirm that redemption is a cornerstone of true justice.”

Pardons Granted

Murphy granted 29 pardons for individuals convicted of offenses ranging from drug possession to weapons charges, crediting post-conviction rehabilitation and years of good conduct.

• Sheila Alston: Aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child, sentenced in 2008.
• Dolphin Arias Jr.: Possession of a prohibited weapon, sentenced in 1994.
• Jeanette Barrow: Possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and aggravated assault (1988); endangering the welfare of a child (1995).
• S.B.: Distribution of a controlled dangerous substance (two counts), sentenced in 2006.
• Mary Jane Bosseler Devlin: Drug possession (1985) and distribution (1995).
• Greg Breland: Multiple controlled substance offenses, including possession and distribution within a school zone between 1991 and 2001; simple assault (1995).
• Tyrone Brockington: Possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance (1995).
• Kareem Burke: Distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2004.
• Eugene Ciroalo Jr.: Arson, sentenced in 1987.
• Patricia Fisher: Conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2010.
• Philip Gentile: Bad checks and drug possession, sentenced in 2007.
• Lisa Hellriegel: Distribution and possession of drugs in a school zone, sentenced in 2007.
• Robert Holness: Theft, assault, drug possession, and receiving stolen property offenses between 1998 and 2001.
• Yousef Ishak: Multiple offenses including receiving stolen property, drug possession, and shoplifting from 1988 to 1998.
• Gary Josephs Sr.: Credit card theft and possession of a weapon, sentenced in 1990.
• Alim Kouliev: Local ordinance violations, drug possession, and paraphernalia charges in the late 1990s.
• Raymond McAnuff: Distribution of a controlled dangerous substance within a school zone, sentenced in 1993.
• Angel Melgarejo: False documentation, sentenced in 2007.
• Jomarlin Montilla: Theft, sentenced in 2005.
• Nick Musero: Conspiracy to cause arson, sentenced in 1998.
• Ernest Polite: Theft, burglary, and lewdness convictions between 1975 and 1998.
• Odalys Pozo: Possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a school zone, sentenced in 1995.
• Frank de Los Mercedes Ramirez-Perez: Possession with intent to distribute drugs (two counts), sentenced in 1994.
• Carlos Restrepo: Conspiracy to possess a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1991.
• Tawanda Smith: Multiple drug distribution and possession convictions from 1996.
• Eugene Sullivan: Drug offenses, probation violations, and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance from 1981–1992.
• Brenda Thompson: Theft and multiple drug-related convictions from 2000–2008.
• Doug Whitson: Weapons and drug-related convictions from 1992–1994.
• Janice Williamson: Loitering and conspiracy to distribute drugs from 2007–2008.

Commutations Granted

Murphy also granted 19 commutations, reducing sentences for individuals serving long prison terms for murder, robbery, and other serious offenses, many of whom will now begin five-year parole supervision.

• Latasha Baker: Convicted of murder, robbery, and conspiracy (2014); released to parole after 11 years.
• Rashawn Carter: Convicted of felony murder and robbery (2015); released after sentence reduced from 107 years to time served.
• Tivon Neals: Convicted of murder and weapons charges (2005); sentence reduced to 30 years with release on parole.
• Nathan Yates: Convicted of robbery and weapons offenses (2005); released after serving 19 years.
• Timothy Harris: Convicted of felony murder and robbery (1993); released after serving more than 30 years.
• Anthony Leahey: Convicted of triple murder and weapons offenses (2001); released after 24 years.
• Charles Johnson: Convicted of felony murder and robbery (2003); sentence reduced to 25 years with parole.
• Stanley Holmes: Convicted of armed robbery, burglary, and kidnapping (2005); released to parole.
• Laciana Sears: Convicted of aggravated manslaughter (2019); sentence reduced from 22 years to 10 years.
• Karla Freeman: Convicted of felony murder and attempted robbery (2007); released to parole.
• Sammy Moore: Convicted of felony murder, robbery, and conspiracy (1995); released after 30 years.
• Ronald McGraw: Convicted of conspiracy and murder (2006); released to parole.
• Gregory Williams: Convicted of robbery and weapons offenses (2012); released after serving 13 years.
• Rasool McCrimmon: Convicted of murder and aggravated manslaughter (2007, 2010); released to parole.
• Shadee Alexander: Convicted of conspiracy, robbery, and weapons charges (2009); released to parole.
• Jamie Wallace: Convicted of robbery and resisting arrest (2009); sentence of life without parole commuted to parole release.
• Calvin Bass: Convicted of double felony murder and robbery (1984); released from parole in 2026 after 38 years in prison.
• Willie Williams: Convicted of murder (1982); released from parole supervision.
• Damon Venable: Convicted of murder and robbery (1987); released from parole supervision in 2026.

Voices of Redemption

Jamal Muhammad, who received a commutation in April 2025, reflected on his life since release.
“Life in freedom has been full of blessings — I’ve gotten married, started teaching, and launched my own business,” he said. “To me, freedom means having the ability and opportunity to fulfill your goals and give back to your community.”

Brenda Thompson, one of the newly pardoned individuals, said her clemency symbolizes a “renewed purpose.”
“This clemency represents more than a pardon — it represents restoration, redemption, and renewed purpose,” Thompson said. “I am committed to using this second chance to serve others.”

For more information about the New Jersey Clemency Initiative or to apply for executive clemency, visit www.nj.gov/clemency.