Gov. Murphy Pardons 40 Individuals in Latest Clemency Round, Bringing Total to 169

TRENTON, N.J. — Governor Phil Murphy has granted pardons to 40 individuals as part of a third round of clemency actions, announced on September 9, 2025. The move brings the total number of clemency grants issued during the Murphy administration to 169.

The clemency actions follow the establishment of New Jersey’s Clemency Advisory Board, created through Executive Order No. 362 in 2024. The board, chaired by Bishop Joshua Rodriguez, reviews applications and recommends candidates for clemency based on criteria that prioritize individuals demonstrating rehabilitation, victims of trafficking or abuse, and those sentenced under laws no longer considered proportionate or just.

According to the Governor’s Office, more than 4,500 clemency applications have been submitted since the executive order took effect.

“As ‘The State for Second Chances,’ we pride ourselves on recognizing the power of redemption,” said Governor Murphy. “Extending this opportunity for a new beginning is one of the greatest responsibilities I hold as Governor – and one that I do not take lightly. I am deeply grateful to Bishop Rodriguez, the Clemency Advisory Board, and my team for their careful and thoughtful review and guidance on each application for clemency that we receive. Together, we are ensuring that justice in New Jersey is both rooted in public safety and a belief in second chances."

Background on Clemency Policy

Under the New Jersey Constitution, the Governor holds broad and exclusive authority to issue pardons and commutations for state criminal convictions. The Clemency Advisory Board was formed to bring a formal review structure to that process for the first time in state history.

The board gives expedited consideration to certain groups, including:

• Individuals with nonviolent convictions who have remained out of the justice system for a significant period.

• People who faced excessive penalties for exercising their right to a trial.

• Victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, or sex trafficking convicted of crimes tied to their abuse.

“Clemency is not about overlooking mistakes—it is about recognizing transformation, redemption, and the power of a second chance," said Bishop Joshua Rodriguez, Chair of the New Jersey Clemency Advisory Board.

Highlighted Case: Clourer Grady

Among those pardoned is Clourer Grady, 72, who was convicted of multiple drug-related offenses between 1989 and 1993. Grady attributes her past convictions to a substance use disorder, from which she later recovered.

Following her incarceration, Grady completed treatment and built a long-standing career in recovery services. She worked as a secretary and later became a certified drug and alcohol counselor at Trinitas Regional Medical Center, where she led a family reunification program for over 17 years. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Thomas Edison State University in 2014.

Grady’s case exemplifies the types of rehabilitative journeys the Clemency Advisory Board is tasked with identifying through its review process.

"Any time I think about receiving a pardon I start to cry. After four years of attempting to clear my record, to hear the Governor tell me that he is signing into effect a FULL PARDON with my name on it is a true blessing,” said Clourer Grady. “It makes these last 30 years of just being a productive member of society and using my time to help others feel so rewarding."

Overview of Pardoned Offenses

The offenses among those pardoned in this round span decades, with sentences ranging from the 1970s through the early 2010s. The majority of convictions involve nonviolent drug-related offenses, theft, or probation violations. In some cases, individuals were pardoned for weapons possession, robbery, or aggravated assault, often with mitigating circumstances or long-term rehabilitation taken into account.

The following individuals have been granted a pardon by Governor Murphy:

1. Alzapiedi, Leigh: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2005
2. Brown, Shaib: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1988; possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1989; possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1991; theft, sentenced in 1994
3. Cruz, Emily: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1991; violation of probation, sentenced in 1998
4. Denis, Alain: receiving stolen property, sentenced in 1985; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1987; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1990; resisting arrest and possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1990; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1991; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1991; violation of probation, sentenced in 1992; unlawful possession of a weapon, sentenced in 1992; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1999; possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a school zone and firearms regulatory violation, sentenced in 1996
5. Duckett, Tyrone: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2005
6. Falletta, Nicholas: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, 2005; violation of probation, 2008; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, 2008
7. Forte, Stacey: shoplifting, sentenced 2010; criminal trespass and shoplifting, sentenced in 2010; attempt to obtain controlled dangerous substance by fraud, sentenced in 2011; possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia, sentenced in 2011; violation of probation, sentenced in 2013
8. Gaston, Steven: possession of a prohibited weapon, sentenced in 1996
9. Goss, Rodney: possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1987; violation of probation, sentenced in 1988; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1988
10. Grady, Clourer: possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1990; possession, sentenced in 1991; violation of probation, 1993; distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1993
11. Granzow, Timothy: disorderly conduct, sentenced in 1998; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1999; violation of probation, sentenced in 1999; possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1999; possession of drug paraphernalia, sentenced in 1999; possession of drug paraphernalia, sentenced in 1999; theft, sentenced in 1998; theft, sentenced in 1999; distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2010
12. Hilaire, Patrice: local ordinance violations, sentenced in 2002; two counts of distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2006
13. Ibrahim, Mario: shoplifting, sentenced in 1995; robbery, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon, sentenced in 1997; unlawful possession of a weapon, sentenced in 1997
14. Jackson, Schulyer: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, 2012
15. Kelsey, Linda: possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1975; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1977; shoplifting and two counts of possession of narcotics equipment, sentenced in 1987; possession of narcotics equipment, sentenced in 1989; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1989; possession of narcotics equipment, sentenced in 1989; distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1989; distribution of a controlled dangerous substance within a school zone, sentenced in 2016
16. Kornacki, Jr., David Benjamin: theft, sentenced in 2002; two counts of aggravated assault and hindering, sentenced in 2003; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2005; violation of probation, sentenced in 2007; hindering, sentenced in 2006
17. Lascala, Christopher: robbery, sentenced in 2013
18. Majette, Jr., Wilbert: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1990; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1990
19. Matthews, Chanti: two counts of receiving stolen property, sentenced in 1999
20. Matunda, III, William: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1996
21. McAllister, Naquan: robbery, sentenced in 2008; distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2009; theft, sentenced in 2011; local ordinance violations, sentenced in 2019
22. McCoy, Charlotte: possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2010
23. Millan, Jr., Anthony: theft, sentenced in 2004; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2007
24. Monserrate, Pedro: aggravated assault, sentenced in 2000; unlicensed entry, sentenced in 2005; defiant trespass, sentenced in 2005
25. Muro, Scott: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2010
26. Petruska, John: conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1998
27. Reid, Denise: possession of narcotics equipment and a drug-related offense, sentenced in 1972; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1974; shoplifting, sentenced in 1974; robbery and committing an offense while armed, sentenced in 1975; shoplifting, sentenced in 1975; shoplifting, sentenced in 1975; shoplifting, sentenced in 1976; shoplifting, sentenced in 1977
28. Roberts, Fronz: two counts of possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1989; receiving stolen property, sentenced in 1989; violations of probation, sentenced in 1990; distribution within a school zone, sentenced in 1990
29. Roche, Kyle: aggravated assault, sentenced in 2005; theft, trespass, and wandering to obtain a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2013; ordinance violations and wandering to obtain a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2014; possession, sentenced in 2015; obstruction, sentenced in 2015; violation of probation, sentenced in 2016
30. Salek, Robert: larceny and burglary, sentenced in 1972; fraud, sentenced in 1975
31. Saralvarez, Alejandro: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, 1989
32. Sarappa, Joseph: robbery, sentenced in 1982
33. Skakur-Purvis, Markim: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1990; possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1991; possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1999; attempt to tamper with witness, sentenced in 1999
34. Shelton, Marc: possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1994; possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia, sentenced in 1994; wandering to obtain a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1998
35. Thompson, Charles: six counts of breaking and entering, sentenced in 1977
36. Throckmorton, Raymond: possession of narcotics equipment, 1973; possession, 1978
37. Tursi, Matthew: receiving stolen property, sentenced in 2012; receiving stolen property, sentenced in 2012; possession of narcotics equipment, sentenced in 2012
38. Waller, Tanell: unlawful possession of a weapon, sentenced in 1996; possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance within a school zone, sentenced in 1998; possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance within a school zone and possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1998; possession of drug paraphernalia, sentenced in 2002; wandering to obtain a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2011; wandering to obtain a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2011; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2011
39. Woolfolk, Richard: receiving stolen property, sentenced in 1998; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1998; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2000; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance within a school zone, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance near a public facility, sentenced in 2001
40. Worthington, Rachel: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2001

“Mercy unapologetically affirms the inherent worth of our beloveds in the face of rising authoritarianism,” said Charlene D. Walker, Executive Director, Faith in New Jersey. “Today’s pardons interrupt a system that cages and dehumanizes, allowing people the Divine has held close to reemerge, heal with their families, and transform their communities. We celebrate captives set free. May they know freedom in their very bones."

Clemency Application Process

The clemency process is ongoing, and individuals seeking relief can apply directly through the state portal. For more information, including application instructions and eligibility criteria, the public can visit: www.nj.gov/clemency.

New Jersey's clemency initiative represents a continued effort to address longstanding disparities in sentencing, recognize rehabilitation, and offer second chances to individuals who have demonstrated personal transformation.

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