Governor Murphy Surpasses 300 Clemency Grants

In 1999, JoEllyn Jones lost her 19-year-old brother to gun violence. Years later, she met his killer—and asked to work with him.

NEW JERSEY — Governor Phil Murphy has granted clemency to 24 more individuals in the seventh round of executive actions under his statewide clemency initiative, bringing the total number of pardons and commutations to 307 since the program launched in June 2024.

The announcement, made on December 17, 2025—one year after Murphy’s first clemency grants—includes 15 pardons, seven commutations from parole supervision, and two commutations of incarceration.

Murphy’s initiative, established through Executive Order No. 362, created New Jersey’s first Clemency Advisory Board and outlined criteria for reviewing applications. Those eligible for expedited review include non-violent individuals with a sustained record of lawful behavior, those serving sentences impacted by excessive trial penalties, and survivors of domestic violence or human trafficking.

The clemency review process includes a comprehensive examination of each applicant’s criminal history, rehabilitation efforts, readiness for reintegration, and input from victims. The Clemency Advisory Board is composed of individuals with varied personal and professional experiences in the justice system.

The following individuals were granted a pardon today:

1. Beasley, Samad: Robbery, sentenced in 1987; distribution of a controlled dangerous substance in a school zone, sentenced in 1990; failure to dispose a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1993; criminal restraint, sentenced in 1994; making a false report (two counts) and resisting arrest, sentenced in 1996; distribution of a controlled dangerous substance in a school zone (two counts), sentenced in 1996; possession of a controlled dangerous substance (two counts), sentenced in 1999; conspiracy (to possess a controlled dangerous substance), sentenced in 2004
2. Chiatti, Reginald: Robbery, sentenced in 2002
3. Cill, Lincoln: Robbery, sentenced in 1991; theft by deception, sentenced in 1998
4. Deloatch-Alexander, Nichella: Shoplifting, sentenced in 1998; Shoplifting, sentenced in 2000; Shoplifting, sentenced in 2001 and resentenced 2004; Receiving stolen property, and Hindering, sentenced in 2002; Shoplifting, sentenced in 2002; robbery, sentenced in 2003; Theft, sentenced in 2003
5. Hammary, Darryl: Possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1992; possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance within a school zone (two counts), sentenced in 1992; local ordinance violation, sentenced in 2001; conspiracy and theft, sentenced in 2004; attempt and theft, sentenced in 2004; conspiracy, theft, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and unlawful possession of a weapon, sentenced in 2004; retaliation against a witness, sentenced in 2004
6. Harris, Latoyia: Attempted theft by deception, sentenced in 2002; violation of probation, sentenced in 2005; two counts of theft by deception, sentenced in 2005
7. Holden, Tyesha: Endangering the welfare of a child, sentenced in 2009; violation of probation, sentenced in 2013
8. Iwanga, Robert: Conspiracy to commit robbery, sentenced in 2000
9. Jackson, Anthony: Possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1997
10. Leak, Brandan: unlawful possession of a weapon, sentenced in 1995
11. Mayo, Derek: Larceny, sentenced in 1982
12. McDaniel, Vincent: Conspiracy and two counts of distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2005
13. Neville, Lindsey: Robbery, sentenced in 2004
14. Pollack, Rory: Ordinance violations, sentenced in 2009; identity theft, sentenced in 2012; possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 2012
15. Scian, III, Michael: Criminal mischief and harassment, sentenced in 2001; distribution of a controlled dangerous substance and possession with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substance within 500 feet of a public place, sentenced in 2005; disorderly conduct, sentenced in 2010

The following individuals were granted commutations of their parole supervision today:

1. Bandele, Zuberi: Murder, armed while committing murder, and assault/battery, sentenced in 1979
2. Dollard, Thomas: Murder, sentenced in 1991
3. Henshaw, Antonne: Murder, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, hindering, sentenced in 1989
4. Kadonsky, Steven: Leader of narcotics ring , Conspiracy, Possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, Possession of a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1994; conspiracy to possess a controlled dangerous substance, sentenced in 1994; Conspiracy to possess a controlled dangerous substance (five counts), Possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance (five counts), Hindering prosecution (two counts), sentenced in 1995
5. Komunyaka, Bayete: Murder, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, sentenced in 1994
6. Lee, Wali: Fraud, sentenced in 1983; robbery, criminal restraint, sentenced in 1985; murder, robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, sentenced in 1986
7. McKinnon, Jason: Leader of Narcotics Trafficking Network, Racketeering, Conspiracy to Manufacture a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Dangerous Substance (two counts), Committing Drug Offense with Weapon, Certain Persons Not to Have Weapon , sentenced in 2009

The following individuals were granted commutations of their prison sentences today:

1. Page, David: Robbery (two counts), possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, and certain person not to have a weapon, sentenced in 2007
2. Scott, James: Robbery (nine counts), aggravated assault (three counts), unlawful possession of a weapon (three counts), illegal possession of ammunition, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose (four counts), theft by unlawful taking (two counts), receiving stolen property, certain persons not to possess a weapon, sentenced in 2006

Among the recipients in this round is Vincent McDaniel, who was pardoned for drug distribution charges after demonstrating sustained rehabilitation. Since his release, McDaniel has become a community leader, co-chairing the Atlantic County Gun Reduction Initiative and serving as Assistant Director of Atlantic City’s One Neighborhood Evolution Anti-Violence Program.

“This pardon is not just a personal milestone; it lifts the invisible handcuffs that remain long after completing a sentence. It allows me to fully engage in our schools, the local juvenile detention center, and the Atlantic County adult facilities, expanding my ability to serve others,” said Vincent McDaniel. “I stand here today fully aware of the harm I caused my community, but more energized by the removal of these invisible handcuffs and the possibilities ahead—hoping that my good works, Insha’Allah, can outweigh my past mistakes.”

Also granted clemency was Steven Kadonsky, whose lifetime parole sentence stemmed from marijuana-related offenses in the 1990s. Marijuana has been legal for adult use in New Jersey since 2021. Kadonsky founded a pandemic-era children’s charity, now operating as KIDZ 2 the Rescue, which supports children in crisis.

Ronald McGraw, who received a commutation last month, shared his experience during the announcement. Convicted in 2006, McGraw served 23 years in prison before being released in November 2025. During his incarceration, he became a prison Deacon, organized Bible studies, pursued higher education, and now preaches regularly in Freehold, where he resides.

“This pardon is not just a personal milestone; it lifts the invisible handcuffs that remain long after completing a sentence. It allows me to fully engage in our schools, the local juvenile detention center, and the Atlantic County adult facilities, expanding my ability to serve others,” said Vincent McDaniel. “I stand here today fully aware of the harm I caused my community, but more energized by the removal of these invisible handcuffs and the possibilities ahead—hoping that my good works, Insha’Allah, can outweigh my past mistakes.”

The announcement also spotlighted JoEllyn Jones, a Clemency Advisory Board member whose life was personally affected by violent crime.

In 1999, JoEllyn Jones lost her 19-year-old brother, RJ, to gun violence. The man convicted of his murder, Ryan Young, served over 17 years in prison. After his release, JoEllyn often saw him around her community — each encounter a painful reminder.

But one day, instead of confrontation, she chose compassion. She introduced herself. She asked to work with him.

Today, JoEllyn and Ryan talk regularly. He’s even been to her home for dinner. Together, they now work to build safer, stronger communities.

As a member of New Jersey’s Clemency Advisory Board, JoEllyn brings her lived experience to one of the most ambitious second-chance efforts in state history.

“It has been a true honor to serve alongside my fellow board members over the past year and a half. Each of us brings a different lived experience to this work, and those perspectives matter deeply when reviewing applications that carry so much weight,” said JoEllyn Jones, Member, New Jersey Clemency Advisory Board. “When I read each clemency application, I think not only about the individual seeking relief, but also about the direct and indirect victims who were harmed.”

As of December, the Governor’s Office has received more than 4,500 clemency applications. Officials indicated additional actions are expected before the end of Murphy’s term.

This clemency initiative is one of the most expansive in New Jersey history and is viewed by advocates as a model for reducing recidivism, easing long-term consequences of conviction, and correcting inequities in the criminal justice system.

The full list of individuals granted clemency—including their names, offenses, and sentencing history—is available at www.nj.gov/clemency.

A pardon formally forgives an offense but does not erase the underlying facts or conviction. A commutation reduces a sentence but does not constitute forgiveness. Clemency does not expunge a criminal record or indicate a finding of innocence.

All individuals remain presumed innocent of any future charges unless proven guilty in a court of law.