Mercy and the holiday season go hand-in-hand, Save Jerseyans, but acts of clemency are typically reserved for non-violent offenders or special circumstances.
Can Governor Phil Murphy say the same about the 13 individuals who committed murder and/or felony murder (among other serious offenses) whose sentences or parole periods he commuted on Tuesday?
Here’s the list directly from the Governor’s Office:
- Alford, Lamar: felony murder, murder, conspiracy, robbery, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, and certain persons not to possess a weapon, sentenced in 2007
- Bacon-Vaughters, Kenneth: felony murder, robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, aggravated assault, and unlawful possession of a weapon, sentenced in 2011
- Fitch, Lashawn: murder, conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, sentenced in 2014
- Fletcher, Tieheen: murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon, sentenced in 1998
- Florence, John: felony murder, aggravated assault, reckless manslaughter, conspiracy, four counts of robbery, two counts of receiving stolen property, two counts of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon, sentenced in 1994
- Jackmon, Morris: felony murder, murder, attempted murder, robbery, two counts of aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon, sentenced in 1994
- Johnson, Shawn: attempted murder and murder, sentenced in 2008
- Prather, Franklin: felony murder, robbery, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon, sentenced in 2009
- Saunders, Omar: murder, terroristic threats, hindering, tampering, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, and certain persons not to possess a weapon, sentenced in 2004
- Vaughn, Jibreel: felony murder, robbery, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, sentenced in 1999
- Williams, Jermaine: felony murder, conspiracy, robbery, reckless manslaughter, possession of a weapon unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon, sentenced in 2002
- Morris, Julius: murder and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, sentenced in 1977
- Owen, Russell: murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon, sentenced in 1991
