Governor Murphy Grants Pardons to 36 Individuals

Pardons and commutations offer a second chance to veterans, community leaders, and reformed individuals across New Jersey.

In a significant step toward criminal justice reform, Governor Phil Murphy announced clemency for 36 individuals, including 33 pardons and 3 commutations, marking the first time he has exercised his constitutional pardon power. 

“Today, we rededicate ourselves to ensuring that New Jersey is the state for second chances,” said Governor Murphy. “I am proud to announce that through our historic clemency initiative, 36 individuals will be granted legal relief, either in the form of a full pardon, or by having their criminal sentence commuted."

This move comes months after Murphy issued Executive Order No. 362 on June 19, 2024, creating the Clemency Advisory Board—the first of its kind in New Jersey’s history. The board evaluates applications for pardons and commutations and prioritizes cases where individuals have been free of criminal justice involvement for significant time or where sentences reflect excessive penalties.

The clemency process under Murphy’s administration included outreach to victims, providing them with an opportunity to share their perspectives and access support services. The decisions were guided by input from individuals with diverse expertise in criminal justice and victim advocacy.

Who Received Clemency?

The individuals granted pardons reflect a wide range of backgrounds, including U.S. military veterans, small business owners, faith leaders, and community volunteers who have worked to help others overcome substance use disorders or reentry challenges. All pardon recipients have been free of criminal involvement for at least 10 years.

The following individuals have been granted a pardon:

1. Shaukat A. Azad – Arrested and sentenced in 1999 for terroristic threats. Arrested in 2003 and sentenced in 2004 for trademark counterfeiting.

2. Abdur Azim – Arrested and sentenced in 1986 for shoplifting. Arrested and sentenced in 1989 for possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance. Arrested in 1990 and sentenced in 1991 for robbery.

3. Richard C. Barthlemess, Jr. – Arrested in 1987 and sentenced in 1989 for possession of a controlled dangerous substance. Arrested in 1988 and sentenced in 1989 for possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance.

4. Albert Baruffi – Arrested in 1971 and sentenced in 1972 for larceny. Arrested in 1984 and sentenced in 1986 for two counts of possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, two counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and one count of conspiracy.

5. Richard Best – Arrested in 1983 and sentenced in 1984 for burglary and larceny. Arrested in 1985 and sentenced in 1986 for possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

6. Samera Bishop – Arrested in 2002 and sentenced in 2003 for manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing a controlled dangerous substance and possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance within 500 feet of a public housing authority. Arrested and sentenced in 2003 for manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing a controlled dangerous substance. Arrested and sentenced in 2003 for possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

7. Raymond W. Blanks – Arrested and sentenced in 1991 for distribution of a controlled dangerous substance within 1,000 feet of a school zone. Arrested in 2000 and sentenced in 2001 for possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

8. Hugh L. Carter – Arrested in 1987 and sentenced in 1989 for possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance. Arrested in 1987 and sentenced in 1989 for possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance.

9. Paul M. Chiang – Arrested in 2005 and sentenced in 2006 for fraudulent use of a credit card.

10. Luisa M. Cornielle – Arrested in 2004 and sentenced in 2005 for conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance. Arrested and sentenced in 2010 for disorderly conduct.

11. Alvaro C. Correia, Jr. – Arrested and sentenced in 1995 for aggravated arson and receiving stolen property.

12. Calvin Cuavers – Arrested in 1978 and sentenced in 1979 for aiding and abetting robbery. Arrested in 2008 and sentenced in 2009 for disorderly conduct. Arrested in 2009 and sentenced in 2010 for obstructing administration of law or other governmental function.

13. Michelle Cutler – Arrested in 2000 and sentenced in 2001 for endangering the welfare of a child and use of drug paraphernalia. Arrested and sentenced in 2002 for possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

14. Dave K. Daniels, Jr. – Arrested in 1989 and sentenced in 1990 for possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance. Arrested and sentenced in 1995 for possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

15. Charles DeFrancesco – Arrested in 1993 and sentenced in 1995 for possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance.

16. Roger Dewey – Arrested in 1973 and sentenced in 1974 for possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

17. Jose A. Diaz-Garma – Arrested in 1986 and sentenced in 1989 for possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance.

18. Jenny M. Edwards – Arrested in 1989 and sentenced in 1990 for possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

19. Quadir Evans – Arrested in 1983 and sentenced in 1984 for possession of a controlled dangerous substance.Arrested and sentenced in 1986 for receiving stolen property. Arrested in 1986 and sentenced in 1987 for possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance and unlawful possession of a weapon. Arrested in 1990 and sentenced in 1991 for unlawful possession of a weapon.

20. Ryan Fahey – Arrested in 2006 and sentenced in 2008 for conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance and possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance.

21. George W. Fischer – Arrested in 1974 and sentenced in 1975 for shoplifting. Arrested in 1976 and sentenced in 1977 for robbery and conspiracy.

22. David Florian – Arrested in 1995 and sentenced in 1997 for possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance.

23. Gregory J. Fuhs – Arrested in 1988 and sentenced in 1990 for possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance.

24. Dramane Goita – Arrested in 1994 and sentenced in 1995 for possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance.

25. Natasha Hawkins-Braxton – Arrested and sentenced in 1995 for possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance within 1,000 feet of a school zone, and unlawful possession of a weapon.

26. Calvin J. Henry – Arrested in 1988 and sentenced in 1992 for unlawful possession of a weapon and conspiracy to possess a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute.

27. Tyrone S. Howard – Arrested in 2009 and sentenced in 2011 for making a false report to law enforcement.

28. Karyl A. Knibbs – Arrested and sentence in 1994 for possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance.

29. Jerry Lee Lassiter – Arrested and sentenced in 1989 for possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance.

30. Radames Lopez – Arrested in 1995 and sentenced in 1996 for possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance.

31. Henry Martinez – Arrested and sentenced in 1999 for distribution of a controlled dangerous substance within 1,000 feet of a school zone. Arrested and sentenced in 2001 for receiving stolen property.

32. James F. Mercer – Arrested in 1988 and sentenced in 1990 for receiving a stolen vehicle.

33. Humberto Portuondo – Arrested and sentenced in 1986 for conspiracy to possess a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute.

Notable pardon recipients include individuals convicted of burglary, possession, and conspiracy charges from as early as the 1970s. Many of these individuals have since turned their lives around, contributing to their families and communities through employment, volunteerism, and leadership roles.

Commuting Excessive Sentences

In addition to the pardons, Governor Murphy commuted the prison sentences of three women who have served decades in prison:

1. Myrna Diaz – Arrested in 2006 and convicted of murder, robbery, two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon, two counts of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, burglary, credit card theft, and conspiracy to commit robbery. Sentenced in 2010 to a term of incarceration of 40 years with 34 years of parole ineligibility followed by five years of post-incarceration parole supervision. Ms. Diaz will be released from prison and begin a five-year period of parole supervision.
2. Dawn Jackson – Arrested in 1999 and convicted of murder. Sentenced in 1999 to a term of incarceration of 30 years without parole eligibility. Ms. Jackson will be released from prison and begin a period of parole supervision until March 23, 2029.
3. Denise Staples – Arrested in 2001 and convicted of murder and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. Sentenced in 2004 to a term of incarceration of 60 years with 51 years of parole ineligibility followed by five years of post-incarceration parole supervision. Ms. Staples will be released from prison and begin a five-year period of parole supervision.

The commutations focus on cases where individuals received severe sentences, particularly in comparison to current sentencing standards or mitigating circumstances like abuse or trauma.

The clemency initiative strikes a balance between justice, accountability, and reform. While a pardon forgives the conviction and alleviates collateral consequences like employment barriers, a commutation reduces a prison sentence without erasing the conviction itself.

The Governor’s clemency actions come amid a larger effort to rethink criminal justice practices and provide reformed individuals with opportunities to reenter society. For those seeking clemency in the future, Governor Murphy encouraged applications through the state’s clemency portal at www.nj.gov/clemency.

As Murphy continues to move toward reform, this wave of clemency marks a defining moment in his administration’s efforts to address inequities, offer second chances, and recognize the potential for redemption in every individual.