LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is following President Joe Biden’s lead by commuting and pardoning the sentences of eight people as 2024 comes to a close.
The commutations involved drug offenses and armed robbery convictions.
MORE NEWS: Wexford County Continues Battle Against Cyberattack Two Months Later
“As a former prosecutor, I am focused on protecting public safety, reducing crime, and building a stronger, smarter criminal justice system,” Whitmer said in a statement. “We build on that work by granting clemency to eight Michiganders who have taken accountability for their actions. Let’s keep working together to build a justice system that treats all Michiganders equally,” Whitmer said.
Voters did not elect Whitmer to a prosecutor position, but she did serve as the interim Ingham County Prosecutor in 2016 for five months after then-prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III faced prostitution charges.
What are the qualifications of pardons and commutations?
According to the Defender Guide to Michigan’s Commutation Process, the Michigan Constitution grants “exclusive power to the governor to grant reprieves, commutations, and pardons to prisoners of this state, except in cases of impeachment.”
It goes on to say, “The governor shall have power to grant reprieves, commutations, and pardons after convictions for all offenses, except cases of impeachment, upon such conditions and limitations as he may direct, subject to procedures and regulations prescribed by law. He shall inform the legislature annually of each reprieve, commutation, and pardon granted, stating reasons.”
Pardons can be granted for rehabilitation or exceptional circumstances, may completely erase a conviction, and could remove all legal consequences connected with the crime. Commutations reduce the length of the sentence but do not erase the conviction. Factors like health or time served play a role.
Who did Whitmer pardon?
The Democratic governor pardoned Stacey Blue, Anthony Martin and Tanyalynn Marks. All three sought a pardon to improve their employment prospects.
MORE NEWS: EDITORIAL: Michigan’s Latest Plan to Keep People Out of Jail: Just Redefine Adulthood
Blue received five-to-15 years in 1993 for armed robbery, attempted murder and felony firearm in Wayne County. She completed two years of parole after being released in 1998. Whitmer said Blue has volunteered at food banks and homeless shelters.
Martin served two years of a two-to-15 year sentence for armed robbery in 2010 in Washtenaw County. He completed his parole in 2014, became a software engineer, and participates in community service with his church.
Also in Washtenaw County, Marks was sentenced in 2003 to four to 10 years for armed robbery, assault with the intent to do great bodily harm and felony firearm. She committed these crimes as a 16-year-old, but completed parole in 2010.
Commuted sentences.
In addition, Whitmer commuted the sentences of five men which triggered their release from prison on parole. Forty-four-year-old Michael Cluesman was sentenced to 22 to 50 years for cocaine charges in Oakland County. He’s served 15 years.
Derrell Phillips, 67, is serving 35 to 60 years for a 2001 armed robbery in Saginaw County. Whitmer’s office said he’s served 22 years of his sentence and has health problems.
David Powell, 57, was sentenced to 25 years to life on various drug and firearms charges in 2001. He’s served 23 years of his sentence.
Fifty-five-year-old Manuel Ramos has served 24 years of a 26 to 30 year prison sentence for delivering, manufacturing and possessing cocaine in 2001 in Oakland County.
Lastly, 53-year-old Andre Brown received 21 to 25 years as a fourth habitual offender for delivering a controlled substance in 2008 in Muskegon County. Brown has served 17 years of his sentence.
Michigan Department of Corrections indicate Gov. Whitmer has commuted the sentences of 40 inmates, including ten with first or second-degree murder convictions.
Leave a Comment
COMMENTS POLICY: We have no tolerance for messages of violence, racism, vulgarity, obscenity or other such discourteous behavior. Thank you for contributing to a respectful and useful online dialogue.