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February 28, 2007
PA: First Commutation since 2003
Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2007 07:38:41 -0500
Organization: CURE International
All-
One month into his second term of office, Governor Rendell has commuted the life sentence of Michael Anderson who has served 36 years on a first degree homicide conviction. The Governor signed the clemency documents on February 8, almost four years after the Pardons Board recommended Anderson by a 4-0 vote. It was the first commutation of a life sentence since 2003 when outgoing interim Governor Mark Schweiker extended clemency to Ricki Pinkins. The next commutation occurred in the waning hours of Bob Casey's term when he extended clemency to Louis Mickens Thomas. Anderson will have to serve one year in a half way house before being released on parole.
On a related note, the Pardons Board plans to consider Angus Love's appeal for reconsideration of the status of two cases - Jackie Lee Thompson and Keith O. Smith - who received 4-1 votes from the board and are in limbo awaiting further rulings by the courts. District Judge Richard Caputo has ruled that the 1997 referendum violated the "ex post facto" protections in the U.S. Constitution and that cases that predate the 1997 ballot should be considered under the old, majority rule in the Pardons Board. Despite the ruling, the board has refused to forward the two cases to the governor.
It's been a long time since we've seen any measure of compassion in this criminal justice system. Let's enjoy this little victory.
--Bill
William DiMascio
Executive Director
Pennsylvania Prison Society
245 N Broad Street, Suite 300
Philadelphia, PA 19107
www.prisonsociety.org
Posted by lois at February 28, 2007 08:36 AM