Gov. Lee Grants Executive Clemency to 23 Individuals
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced executive clemency decisions for 23 individuals.
“After thoroughly reviewing the merits of each case, I have decided to grant 23 individuals executive clemency,” said Gov. Lee. “Each individual case is unique and warranted consideration, and I thank the Board of Parole members for their thoughtful recommendations throughout this process.”
Executive clemency decisions are made in consultation with the Tennessee Board of Parole, which issues non-binding recommendations for each case. Individuals who have applied for clemency but are not included in today’s release remain eligible for clemency in the future.
The governor will grant two types of clemency today:
· Pardon: An official statement of forgiveness; pardons are granted to individuals who have completed their time in prison and are no longer incarcerated.
· Commutation to parole eligibility: A decision to expedite parole eligibility for an individual based on the unique merits of their case; the Board of Parole will hold a hearing in the normal course. This does not mean a person will be released from prison, and it does not guarantee that parole will be granted.
Another form of executive clemency is an exoneration, which the Governor will not grant in this round of decisions.
Additional information on executive clemency may be found here.
Executive Clemency Grants
Amanda Vaughn, Perry County – Executive Action: Pardon
Ann Marie Byrd, Davidson County and Williamson County – Executive Action: Pardon
Brendan Sullivan, Blount County – Executive Action: Pardon
Cheryl Douglas, Rutherford County – Executive Action: Pardon
Chris Ann Hobson, Fayette County – Executive Action: Pardon
Christopher Park, Davidson County, Sumner County and Wilson County – Executive Action: Pardon
DeAndre Brown, Shelby County – Executive Action: Pardon
Demetria Garner, Davidson County – Executive Action: Pardon
Donnell Spraggins, Shelby County – Executive Action: Pardon
Catrina Cabe, Hamilton County – Executive Action: Pardon
Eddie Criswell, Madison County – Executive Action: Pardon
Edward Guthrie, Bradley County – Executive Action: Pardon
Jimmy Harris, Overton County and Putnam County – Executive Action: Pardon
Joseph Claggett, Davidson County – Executive Action: Pardon
Joshua Owens, Bradley County – Executive Action: Pardon
Kamiko Michelle Paris, Hamilton County – Executive Action: Pardon
Kevin Campbell, Hamilton County – Executive Action: Pardon
Melissa Whitehead-Gregory, Tipton County – Executive Action: Pardon
Michelle Lockwood-Tipton, Sevier County – Executive Action: Commutation to parole eligibility after serving 25 years
Rhonda Shelton, Davidson County – Executive Action: Pardon
Robert Scales, Davidson County – Executive Action: Pardon
Tara Woods, Hamilton County – Executive Action: Pardon
Tylor Trotter, Knox County – Executive Action, Pardon
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