(NASHVILLE) The week before Christmas, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed 23 Tennesseans executive clemency decrees. One was from Rutherford County: Cheryl Douglas received a pardon in this executive action. Legally, a pardon is an official statement of forgiveness. It is granted to individuals who have completed their time in prison and are no longer incarcerated.
“After thoroughly reviewing the merits of each case, I have decided to grant 23 individuals executive clemency,” said Gov. Lee. “Each individual case is unique and warranted consideration, and I thank the Board of Parole members for their thoughtful recommendations throughout this process.”
Executive clemency decisions are made in consultation with the Tennessee Board of Parole, which issues non-binding recommendations for each case. Individuals who have applied for clemency but are not included in today’s release remain eligible for clemency in the future.
The governor grantd two types of clemencies:
1. Pardon: An official statement of forgiveness; pardons are granted to individuals who have completed their time in prison and are no longer incarcerated.
2. Commutation to parole eligibility: A decision to expedite parole eligibility for an individual based on the unique merits of their case; the Board of Parole will hold a hearing in the normal course. This does not mean a person will be released from prison, and it does not guarantee that parole will be granted.
Gov. Lee's signature went on 22 pardons.There was only one "commutation to parole eligibility" signed, and that was for Sevier County's Michelle Lockwood. Her's was a commutation to parole, but she would not be eligibile until after serving 25 years.
Another form of executive clemency is an exoneration, which the Governor did not grant in this round of decisions.
Additional information on executive clemency may be found here.
Executive Clemency Grants
- Amanda Vaughn, Perry County – Executive Action: Pardon
- Ann Marie Byrd, Davidson County and Williamson County – Executive Action: Pardon
- Brendan Sullivan, Blount County – Executive Action: Pardon
- Cheryl Douglas, Rutherford County – Executive Action: Pardon
- Chris Ann Hobson, Fayette County – Executive Action: Pardon
- Christopher Park, Davidson County, Sumner County and Wilson County – Executive Action: Pardon
- DeAndre Brown, Shelby County – Executive Action: Pardon
- Demetria Garner, Davidson County – Executive Action: Pardon
- Donnell Spraggins, Shelby County – Executive Action: Pardon
- Catrina Cabe, Hamilton County – Executive Action: Pardon
- Eddie Criswell, Madison County – Executive Action: Pardon
- Edward Guthrie, Bradley County – Executive Action: Pardon
- Jimmy Harris, Overton County and Putnam County – Executive Action: Pardon
- Joseph Claggett, Davidson County – Executive Action: Pardon
- Joshua Owens, Bradley County – Executive Action: Pardon
- Kamiko Michelle Paris, Hamilton County – Executive Action: Pardon
- Kevin Campbell, Hamilton County – Executive Action: Pardon
- Melissa Whitehead-Gregory, Tipton County – Executive Action: Pardon
- Michelle Lockwood-Tipton, Sevier County – Executive Action: Commutation to parole eligibility after serving 25 years
- Rhonda Shelton, Davidson County – Executive Action: Pardon
- Robert Scales, Davidson County – Executive Action: Pardon
- Tara Woods, Hamilton County – Executive Action: Pardon
- Tylor Trotter, Knox County – Executive Action, Pardon
Color Code
East Tennessee
Middle Tennessee
West Tennessee
