Murphy Issues More Prisoner Pardons (See Governor's Latest List)

Gov. Phil Murphy has issued another round of clemency for current and former prison inmates in New Jersey.

On Wednesday, the governor’s office announced a new wave of pardons and commutations as Murphy’s tenure in Trenton winds down.

Murphy granted 15 pardons, seven commutations from parole supervision and two commutations from incarceration (see the full list below).

The recipients had been charged with crimes that ranged from lesser offenses such as drug possession and probation violations, to more serious charges such as robbery and murder. All pardon recipients have remained free from criminal justice system involvement for more than 10 years, officials said.

New Jersey has greenlighted a total of 307 clemency actions since June 2024. The governor's office has received more than 4,500 applications – with most taking place after that time.

Vincent McDaniel, one of the people who received a pardon on Wednesday, previously pleaded guilty to manufacturing and distributing controlled dangerous substance charges and entered into a plea agreement. He served over three years in prison and was on parole for nearly a year after.

While incarcerated, McDaniel took meaningful strides to turn his life around, the governor’s office said:

“[McDaniel] completed eight sessions of the ‘Cage Your Rage’ anger management program and facilitated anger management and GED tutoring for fellow incarcerated persons. He also completed the Crossroads Addiction Program and earned a certificate in re-evaluation counseling at Riverfront State Prison. In the years since his release, McDaniel has contributed to his community and created a lasting positive change in society. He became the co-chair of the Atlantic County Gun Reduction Initiative, has been an active member of the Atlantic County Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative since 2012, was instrumental in the passage of Atlantic City Ordinance No. 83 ("Ban the Box") in 2011 and Ordinance No. 32 (housing reform for returning citizens) in 2017, and has organized annual HBCU college tours for Atlantic City youth since 2011, among other notable achievements. McDaniel is currently employed by the City of Atlantic City, serving as assistant director of the 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,” McDaniel said.

“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,” McDaniel said.

Other clemency recipients thanked the governor for giving them a second chance.

“I want to go home and live a productive life,” said David Page, who was charged with armed robbery and offered a plea deal of 20 years – later receiving a 50-year sentence after going to trial.

“Even though I am older, I want to be there for my family,” said Page, a client of the ACLU-NJ.

James Scott, another client of the nonprofit, also turned down a plea deal for robbery and got a long sentence: 43 years.

“At this point in my life, clemency is a chance to own my future and dedicate myself to continual service, constant growth, and making positive contributions to society,” Scott said.

• See Related: NJ Man Gets Fresh Start After Spending 2 Decades In Jail On Weed Conviction

The wave of pardons from the governor’s office have taken place as crime continues to drop in New Jersey.

The state saw 20,684 violent crimes with a population of 9,500,851 residents in 2024 – a rate of 217.7 per 100,000 people. That’s down from 225.3 per 100,000 people in 2023. The Garden State’s violent crime totals were well below the national rate, which came to 359.1 per 100,000 people.

The state has also seen a long-term drop in violent crime over the past decades – especially from levels seen in the 1980s and 1990s, FBI data shows. Read More: Is Crime Up Or Down In New Jersey? Here’s What FBI Data Says

WHO GOT CLEMENCY?

The following individuals were granted a pardon on Wednesday:

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:

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:

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

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