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A refreshing reminder from Washington (state) that clemencies can be virtuous and deserved

By Douglas A. Berman

With all the renewed discussion of President Clinton's ugly pardon of Marc Rich and debates over which friends President Bush might pardon, it is all too easy to forget the virtuous facets of the clemency power.  Fortunately, thanks to this article in the Seattle Times, we can all be reminded that the power to be merciful that the clemency power reflects can (and should) be used in virtuous ways.  Here are the basics: The state Clemency and Pardons Board [Thursday] voted to recommend clemency for a man convicted 14 years ago of a three-strikes offense and sentenced to life in prison. The board voted 4-0 to recommend that Stevan Dozier be released from prison, where he has spent the past 14 years after being convicted of second-degree robbery...continue to full post

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on December 12, 2008 (boomark / email).