Rounding up some new stories about state clemency activity

Federal clemency issues remains robust with both the out-going and in-coming President generating news and commentary.  Though I am sure to have many more posts on the federal front in the days and weeks ahead, I was pleased to see a few recent stories about Governors granting clemency that should not get overlooked.  Here is a round up:

From Colorado: “Colorado governor issues 22 pardons and commutes sentences of 4 people, including 2 men convicted of murder“

From Missouri: “Missouri Governor Mike Parson Clears Clemency Backlog, Grants 16 Pardons, and 9 Commutations at End of Term“

From New York: “Hochul grants clemency to 22“

From Tennessee: “Gov. Lee grants executive clemency to more than 40 people“

As noted in recent posts linked below, a few other state governors have also used their clemency pen in notable ways earlier this month. But, obviously, there are a lot more Governors who have not made clemency news than those who have. And it will be interesting to see if all the clemency controversy at the federal level could impact how Governors use their powers.

A few of many prior recent related posts:

• Ohio Gov DeWine adds to clemency conviviality with pardon event 
• After seven years in office, NJ Gov finally finds his clemeny pen to grant 33 pardons and three commutations
• Imagining better clemency traditions than turkey pardons and lame-duck frenzies

UPDATE ON CHRISTMAS EVE (in the AM):  Based on latest headlines, it seems at least three more Governors got into the holiday clemency mood:

From Michigan: “Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer pardons 3, commutes sentences of 5“

From North Carolina: “Cooper pardons 9, commutes sentences for 6, including former NC teen convicted of murder“

From Texas: “Gov. Greg Abbott pardons four Texans but stays silent on Robert Roberson”