The Louisiana Board of Pardons considered 15 commutation and clemency applications at a multi-site meeting Aug. 25, 2025, and voted to recommend commutations in three cases while denying the rest.

Why it matters: Clemmency recommendations by the board are advisory and must be signed by the governor to take effect; recommendations shorten prison terms or make inmates eligible for parole sooner, potentially restoring liberty for people who have served decades. The board’s votes also record whether local prosecutors, victims and law enforcement oppose or support each request, a key factor for the governor.

Summary of outcomes (votes at a glance)
- Robert Grant (DOC #127143) — Application for commutation denied. Board recorded three votes to deny and one vote in favor; the board noted strong victim and law‑enforcement opposition during the hearing.
- Dwayne Middleton (DOC #116831) — Denied. The board recorded four votes to deny after victim and law‑enforcement opposition was emphasized.
- Paul Ware (DOC #413957) — Recommendation to commute sentence to 60 years with parole eligibility. The board voted unanimously in favor and will forward the recommendation to the governor; parole‑project housing and reentry support were pledged if the executive approves.
- Oni Mack (DOC #336911) — Denied. The board cited victim and law‑enforcement opposition and serious nature of the offense in a unanimous vote to deny.
- Carolyn Cobbs (DOC #100118) — Denied. The board split 2–2 on a favorable recommendation and therefore did not reach the required threshold for a commutation recommendation.
- Rashawn (Rashaan) Williams (DOC #422041) — Denied. The board voted unanimously to deny after victims and prosecutors described the 2002 shooting as an “indiscriminate” act into a crowd that killed one person and injured others.
- Walter Copeland (DOC #520532) — Denied. The board cited victim and law‑enforcement opposition and the premeditated nature of the case.
- Jermaine Tyson (DOC #4118xx) — Denied. Law enforcement opposition and violent repeat‑offense history were noted.
- Rob Robertson (DOC #30344311) — Denied. The board cited victim opposition and the nature of the 1994 homicide; a post‑conviction filing by the applicant was discussed by the district attorney’s office.
- Robert Wilson (DOC #567545) — Recommendation to commute to 20 years with immediate parole eligibility. After an executive‑session review the board voted unanimously to recommend commutation; members praised his programming work and outreach to young people.
- Danny Evans (DOC #115470) — Denied. The board cited victim opposition and the circumstances of the incident; the applicant did not receive a favorable vote.
- Sammy Hill (DOC #549854) — Denied. The board recorded three votes to deny and one in favor; board members noted the severity of the injuries inflicted and victim opposition.
- Alexander False (DOC #632665) — Denied. The board voted unanimously to deny; prosecutors highlighted the ages of the victims and recommended continued incarceration.
- Ricardo Dukes (DOC #563960) — Recommendation to commute to 20 years with immediate parole eligibility. The board voted in favor and will forward the recommendation; the applicant is on work release and his employer and family support were presented.

What the board said and why: Board members repeatedly cited victim opposition, law‑enforcement opposition, the seriousness of specific offenses and whether applicants had completed targeted treatment (for example, sex‑offender programs or long‑term substance‑use treatment). Where the board recommended commutation it emphasized: (1) lengthy time already served; (2) documented conduct and programming in custody; and (3) firm reentry plans, including parole‑project housing and employment assistance.

Notable courtroom (hearing) moments
- Multiple victim family members spoke in person or by Zoom at several hearings; they described long‑term impacts and asked the board to deny release in several high‑profile cases.
- Prosecutors from the relevant parishes appeared and urged denials in many cases, citing the facts of the original offenses and, in several files, the absence of completed, risk‑reducing programming.
- The board used an executive session in 1 case (Robert Wilson) before returning to public session and issuing a unanimous favorable recommendation.

What comes next: The board will forward its formal recommendations to the governor and notify the applicants and victims. A recommendation from the board does not become effective until acted on by the governor. For the three cases in which the board recommended commutation — Paul Ware, Robert Wilson and Ricardo Dukes — the governor’s office will next decide whether to sign the commutations, issue pardons, or take no action.

Details and follow‑ups: The board repeatedly urged applicants lacking targeted programming (for example sex‑offender treatment or long‑term substance‑abuse care) to complete those programs if they wish to reapply. Several applicants were in transitional work programs or had written reentry plans backed by community organizations; the board highlighted that supportive housing or employer commitments strengthened recommendations in the cases that advanced.

Ending: The board concluded the meeting after considering all cases and votes. The board’s formal recommendations and the governor’s responses will determine whether any of the applicants leave custody earlier than their current release dates.