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Gov. Murphy pardons nearly 3 dozen people
In his first act of clemency, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has pardoned nearly three dozen individuals.
PHILADELPHIA - Kim Kardashian is no stranger to helping those behind bars gain freedom with her advocacy towards criminal justice reform.
On Monday, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy granted clemency to 36 individuals, including 33 pardons and three commutations, in what is considered his first use of his 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. It is my honor as Governor to recognize the efforts each of them have made to prove that, in this country, redemption is achievable. As we approach the final year of our Administration, we will continue embracing a fair, impartial, and balanced approach for granting legal relief to New Jerseyans who have earned a second chance."
Murphy introduced a new clemency initiative back in June 2024 which established the Clemency Advisory Board which provides recommendations on individual applications for pardons and commutations.
According to the Governor’s Office, the individuals granted clemency underwent an extensive review process, which included consideration by the Clemency Advisory Board.
Among those pardoned include veterans of the U.S. military, faith leaders, small business owners, and people who work or volunteer in settings where they provide support for individuals with substance-use disorders or with criminal histories.
All pardon recipients were freed from criminal justice system involvement for more than 10 years.
Among the 36 pardoned, Kim Kardashian had a helping hand with one New Jersey woman, Dawn Jackson.
Jackson was arrested in 1999 and convicted of murder. Sentenced in 1999 to a term of incarceration of 30 years without parole eligibility. She was granted commutation of her prison sentence and will now begin a period of parole supervision until March 23, 2029.
"Thank you, Governor Murphy, for your compassion and moral courage," said criminal justice advocate Kim Kardashian. "By granting these clemencies today, you’ve shown that we can choose redemption over condemnation. Dawn’s second chance and impending freedom shows us what’s possible when we focus on supporting survivors, prioritizing safety, and committing to real justice. There are countless others who deserve the same chance, and I’m grateful for your pledge to expedite and expand clemencies so more lives can be reclaimed."
New Jersey’s Constitution gives the Governor broad discretion to issue pardons and commutations to individuals for state criminal convictions. A pardon does not erase the facts underlying a criminal conviction, but rather officially forgives the recipient and relieves them of certain collateral consequences that flow from a conviction. Unlike a pardon, a commutation does not forgive the recipient for their conduct, but reduces the sentence they are currently serving.