ALBANY- Governor Kathy Hochul has granted clemency to 13 individuals in the form of 10 pardons and three commutations. Most of Hochul’s pardons were issued to incarcerated individuals who are not United States citizens with the intent to help the convicted avert the threat of deportation and help with their pursuit to become naturalized citizens.
“Clemency is one of the most solemn responsibilities given to a Governor, and I committed to improving the process when I took office,” said Hochul. “Our efforts to convene a new advisory panel – representing important perspectives including law enforcement, victims, the judiciary, and others – has led to a more effective process as we begin granting clemencies on a rolling basis.”
Hochul, unlike her predecessors, has committed to reviewing and acting upon clemency applications on a rolling basis rather than only once at the end of the year. She has also convened a Clemency Advisory Panel comprised of impartial experts to assist in advising her on clemency applications.
Clemency takes two forms under state law. The first form of clemency is a commutation, which is the lessening of a criminal penalty, most commonly a prison sentence. The second is a pardon, which is the full termination of the criminal penalty.
Hochul’s office released brief biographies on each of the individuals being granted clemency, which can be found below.
Pardons:
Nana Ampaw, 56, has lived a crime free life for 15 years. She has lived in the United States for approximately 20 years, is married to a United States citizen, and has four children who are all United States citizens or lawful permanent residents. Ampaw has worked as a home health aide and an assistant for a mental health program while pursuing a degree in social work. Ampaw was convicted of falsifying business records in 2007. A pardon will help her pursue naturalization to become a United States citizen.
Henry Williams, 70, has lived a crime free life for 27 years. He has lived in the United States for more than 25 years and is married to a United States citizen; together they have six children and numerous grandchildren who are also United States citizens. Williams was convicted of criminal sale of marijuana and disorderly conduct in 1996. A pardon will help him pursue naturalization to become a United States citizen.
Edelberto Rendon, 59, has lived a crime free life for 34 years. He has lived in the United States for more than 37 years and has two children who are both United States citizens. He has been employed in the food service industry for more than 30 years and is active in his local community. Rendon was convicted of criminal possession of a controlled substance in 1989. A pardon will help avert the threat of deportation so that he can remain in the United States with his family and community.
Ramon Perez, 58, has lived a crime free life for 31 years. He came to the United States as a teenager and has lived here for more than 30 years. He is married to a United States citizen and has five children and three stepchildren who are all United States citizens. He is an active member of his local community and operates a small business with his wife. He was convicted of attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance in 1991. A pardon will help him pursue naturalization to become a United States citizen.
Raul Labit, 64, has lived a crime free life for 32 years. He first came to the United States in the 1980s and has lived here consistently for more than 20 years. He has a child and two grandchildren who are United States citizens, and he operates a contracting business doing renovations and remodeling. He was convicted of criminal possession of a controlled substance. A pardon will help him pursue naturalization to become a United States citizen.
David Garcia Nunez, 60, has lived a crime free life for 30 years. He has lived in the United States for more than 40 years, is married to a United States citizen, and has five children who are United States citizens. He was convicted of attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance in 1987 and again in 1992. A pardon will help him pursue naturalization to become a United States citizen.
Michael Martin, 56, has lived a crime free life for 14 years. He has lived in the United States for more than 33 years and has numerous family members, including his father, two children, and one stepchild, who are United States citizens. Martin was convicted of bail jumping in 1999 after missing court dates related to charges of which he was later acquitted. A pardon will help him avert the threat of deportation and pursue naturalization to become a United States citizen.
Sean Stephen, 59, has lived a crime free life for 20 years. He came to the United States when he was approximately five years old and has lived here for more than 50 years. He has a child who is a United States citizen and serves as a source of support to several family members. He is an active member of his local community, including through involvement in youth mentorship programs, and he operates a small business. Stephen was convicted of criminal possession of a controlled substance in 2003. A pardon will help avert the threat of deportation so that he can remain in the United States with his family and community.
Christopher Dyer, 38, has lived a crime free life for 17 years. He came to the United States when he was seven years old and lived here for approximately 25 years before being deported in 2017 due to his convictions. He is married to a United States citizen and has two United States children, both of whom are minors. Dyer had been living a crime free life for approximately 10 years when he applied for United States citizenship; the process instead resulted in his deportation, and his family has been separated ever since. Dyer was convicted of attempted robbery in 2006 and assault in 2005. A pardon will help him return to the United States to be reunited with his family and community.
Andrew Oxendine, 63, has lived a crime free life for 41 years. He is a United States citizen and military veteran, having enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at age 17. He served on active duty and as a member of the reserves for several years before being honorably discharged in 1999. Oxendine also worked for a local housing opportunities commission for approximately three decades before recently retiring. Oxendine was convicted of attempted robbery in 1982.
Commutations
Gregory Goodwine, 56, was convicted of robbery, criminal possession of a weapon, and grand larceny in 2005 in relation to a purse snatching outside of a grocery store that did not result in physical injury. He was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison, of which he has served close to 19 years. While incarcerated, Goodwine has engaged in a range of programs focused on counseling, self-development, and community re-entry and reintegration. He has also been an active member of his faith community and serves as a mentor to other incarcerated individuals. Additionally, Goodwide has become an accomplished legal researcher, earned a paralegal certification, and has spent years working in law libraries during his incarceration. Upon release, Goodwinewill live with his wife and son.
Myeshia Hawkins-Taylor, 49, was convicted of attempted murder in 2017. She was sentenced to 16 years in prison, and has served more than seven and a half years of her sentence. Hawkins-Taylor is a survivor of severe physical, sexual, and emotional abuse inflicted by family members and others, and the instant offense occurred while she was suffering a post-traumatic episode. She and the victim of this offense have since reconciled, and the victim supports a grant of clemency in her case. During her incarceration, Hawkins-Taylor has engaged in therapeutic programming to understand her trauma and its impact on her behavior, and has become an active member of an advocacy network focused on advising and supporting incarcerated survivors of domestic violence. Hawkins-Taylor has also taken courses through Marymount Manhattan College. Upon release, Hawkins-Taylor plans to continue her work supporting survivors of domestic violence.
David Herion, 49, was convicted of attempted murder, assault, and criminal possession of a weapon in 1997. He was sentenced to 45 years in prison, of which he has served more than 26 and a half years. During his incarceration, Herion has engaged in variety of therapeutic, vocational, and volunteer programming. He has been a participant and facilitator of violence prevention programs, worked as a health attendant providing hospice care, and served as a youth mentor through a program aimed at preventing crime and keeping young people on a productive life path. Herion has also served as a member of the NAACP branch in his facility, helping to organize community-building activities for other incarcerated individuals. Herion has further volunteered for years with his facility’s recreation department, helping set up for events like family day, college graduations, artistic events, and more. While incarcerated, Herion has also been active in his faith community and has served as a mentor to others. Upon release, Herion will live with his family.
