Parole board recommends commutation for one inmate, issues mixed pardons and denials after daylong clemency hearings

The Committee on Parole met March 24, 2025, to hear applications for pardons, restorations of firearm rights and commutations from multiple incarcerated applicants and parole clients across Louisiana. The board recommended clemency or commutation in some cases, and denied several others; final executive action on pardons and commutations rests with the governor or other statutory processes.

The board’s highest-profile recommendation was a commutation for Anthony Bolt, who asked the panel to commute a life sentence and allow immediate parole eligibility. Bolt, who described a long period of religious study and prison-based mentoring, told the board he had formed a faith-based ministry and worked as a paralegal and mentor inside prison. The board voted to recommend a commutation to 99 years with immediate parole eligibility and asked the Louisiana Parole Project to assist with reentry services if the governor approves.

Several applicants seeking pardons received mixed outcomes. Sean Ken Braswell, who told the board he runs a Mid City breakfast diner in Baton Rouge and described feeling threatened in his neighborhood, was recommended for a pardon that includes restoration of firearms rights; the board said it would forward that recommendation to the governor. By contrast, multiple applicants — including John Wayne James, Mister Gautreaux, Donald Jenkins, Eric Branch, David Lambert, Roosevelt Joseph and Gregory Martin Cotton — were denied pardons or were not recommended for firearm restoration. In several denials the board cited strong law-enforcement or victim opposition, the severity of the underlying offenses, or a need for offender-specific treatment programs not yet completed.

Board members and institution staff repeatedly pointed to applicants’ post-conviction behavior and program participation. Warden and facility staff described long records of participation in education, vocational training and faith-based programs for several applicants. The Louisiana Parole Project said it would provide transitional support to clients if the board’s recommendations are approved by the governor.

Votes at a glance

- Sean Ken Braswell (East Baton Rouge Parish; possession of LSD conviction years earlier): Board recommended a pardon with restoration of firearms and said it would forward the recommendation to the governor. Evidence: applicant described operating a breakfast diner and repeated encounters with people he called homeless or on substances; East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office did not oppose the pardon. (Transcript excerpt: applicant interview beginning at 874.63; voting exchange ending at 1161.10.)

- John Wayne James (Grant Parish; domestic battery misdemeanor): Board recommended a pardon but the recommendation to the governor excludes restoration of firearms (board reported 2 votes in favor of restoration, 3 against; the recommendation made to the governor was for a pardon without restoration of firearms). James said he hopes to work in corrections and asked to have firearm rights restored. (Transcript excerpt: interview beginning at 1750.88; voting exchange ending at 2519.53.)

- Mister Gautreaux (Lafourche Parish; possession of legend drugs): Board voted unanimously to recommend a pardon without restoration of firearms. The board expressed concern about past drug use but noted several years of sobriety reported by the applicant. (Transcript excerpt: interview beginning at 2841.22; vote at 3159.34–3180.89.)

- Donald Jenkins (Assumption Parish; first-degree murder; life sentence): Denied. The board cited strong opposition from the district attorney and members of the victim’s family and serious nature of the offense; Jenkins’ health needs and advanced age were discussed but did not produce a favorable recommendation. (Transcript excerpt: interview beginning at 3418.27; vote at 3899.45–3920.43.)

- Eric Branch (convicted in 1967 of first-degree sex offense convictions; long-serving Angola inmate): Denied. Board noted victim opposition and the severity and specifics of the underlying convictions. (Transcript excerpt: interview beginning at 4274.03; vote concluding at 5170.79.)

- David Lambert (Tangipahoa Parish; two first-degree murder convictions): Denied following victim statements and district attorney opposition. Several victims’ family members spoke in strong opposition during the hearing. (Transcript excerpt: interview beginning at 5481.17; vote concluding at 6557.06.)

- Anthony Bolt (Caddo Parish; second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder convictions): Board recommended a commutation to 99 years with immediate parole eligibility and supportive reentry services from the Louisiana Parole Project. Board members who voted in favor cited Bolt’s educational history, clergy training and sustained programming in prison. The board will forward the recommendation to the governor. (Transcript excerpt: interview beginning at 7048.82; voting exchange ending at 9952.05.)

- Roosevelt Joseph (Rapides Parish; first-degree murder): Denied (board members cited strong victim and law-enforcement opposition and a need for sex-offender treatment that had not been completed). One board member voted to grant with conditions, but the final tally recorded a denial. (Transcript excerpt: interview beginning at 10183.23; vote ending at 10750.75.)

- Gregory Martin Cotton (Washington Parish; second-degree murder): Denied; board members cited the violent facts of the offense, a history of substance use and the applicant’s stated gaps in program participation. (Transcript excerpt: interview beginning at 11048.21; vote concluding at 11784.50.)

- Lonnie Chasson Jr. (Lafourche Parish; possession of Xanax, 2014): Board voted to recommend a pardon with restoration of firearms; members cited the applicant’s stable employment since release, completed court requirements and sustained law-abiding behavior. (Transcript excerpt: interview beginning at 11919.22; vote concluding at 12366.26.)

- Peggy Babb (Caddo Parish; suspended sentence for theft): Board voted to recommend a pardon with restoration of firearms; staff and employer correspondence indicated restitution had been repaid and the employer did not oppose clemency. (Transcript excerpt: interview beginning at 12699.19; vote concluding at 12990.92.)

Context and next steps

The board’s recommendations are advisory; pardons and restorations of firearm rights require gubernatorial action under state law. Commutations and parole eligibility decisions follow statutory procedures and, in many cases, are subject to additional judicial or administrative review. Several denials referenced outstanding treatment needs — for example, sex-offender treatment — or named law-enforcement and victim opposition as dispositive factors.

Several applicants and family members spoke to the board during the hearings. Applicants and supporters asked the board to weigh rehabilitation, program participation and community supports; victims and district attorney representatives urged the board to consider the gravity of the original crimes and the ripple effects on victims’ families.

The board indicated it will forward recommendations to the governor, and in the cases where the board suggested reentry support the Louisiana Parole Project and institutional staff said they will provide transitional services if governors approve the recommendations.

Ending

The Committee on Parole held in-person and remote testimony at correctional facilities and the hearing concluded after the board completed votes on the listed applications. The board will transmit its written recommendations to the governor and to appropriate correctional and victim-notification offices as required by statute.