Louisiana Pardon Board hears multiple clemency petitions; several denials and several recommendations sent to governor

The Louisiana Pardon Board held remote clemency hearings on Feb. 24, 2025, taking testimony from applicants, family members, correctional staff and district attorney representatives before voting on multiple petitions for pardons, commutations and restorations of rights. The board approved some recommendations to send to the governor and denied others, often citing victim opposition and public-safety concerns.

The board opened with a full docket of inmate applicants from several correctional facilities, including Elaine Hunt Correctional Center and Louisiana State Penitentiary (Angola). Most hearings followed the same pattern: staff read identifying information into the record, witnesses and family members gave statements, district attorney victim advocates spoke for the state in some cases, and board members then asked questions before voting.

Why it matters: Pardons and commutations are among the final state-level checks on long sentences and collateral legal disabilities. The board’s recommendations can restore voting or firearm rights, shorten effective sentences, or send a formal request to the governor to commute a sentence. Those decisions have direct consequences for victims, applicants and local communities.

Cases and evidence

- The board heard clemency interviews for Charles Rodriguez (DOC 437720) from Elaine Hunt Correctional Center. Victims’ relatives gave moving statements urging denial. The board voted to deny Rodriguez’s commutation application; board member Mr. Prater said, “My vote is to deny this request, due to the fact that I don't think you've been in jail long enough. I don't think that you're ready to get out,” and the board recorded a denial.

- The board denied clemency for Oscar Robertson (DOC 90556) and for Melvin Jackson (DOC 356924) after victim statements and written opposition were cited. In Jackson’s hearing family members urged leniency; board members noted the life sentence and letters of opposition and the motion to commute did not achieve the unanimity required for a favorable action, so the application was denied.

- The board reviewed the case of Marlin Washington (DOC 125892), who sought commutation after 24 years. Witnesses in opposition described the violence in the original offense and the district attorney’s office opposed clemency. Mr. Freeman said he believed the applicant had done good work but that because of victim and law-enforcement opposition “it’s not your time today.” The board voted to deny Washington’s request.

- Two applicants received favorable recommendations to the governor. The board voted to recommend a commutation of Lonnie Kennedy’s life sentence to 99 years (making him eligible to seek parole under the new term). Mr. Tillis announced, “Our vote is going to be to grant with commutation of sentence,” and colleagues concurred; the board transmitted that recommendation to the governor.

- The board also recommended commutation for Pedro Lopez (DOC 10881) to 99 years with immediate parole eligibility. Angola staff and the Parole Project gave consistent reports about Lopez’s long record of institutional programming and mentorship. The board voted to forward a commutation recommendation to the governor.

- Several candidates received pardons or pardon recommendations. The board voted to recommend a pardon for Daryl Robert Jr. with restoration of firearm rights and to recommend a pardon for David Bennett that included restoration of firearms; in Bourgeois’s case (convictions decades earlier) the board voted to grant a pardon but without restoration of firearm rights after hearing a victim statement opposing weapons restoration.

How the board decided and process notes

- The board repeatedly noted the rule that, at the locations used that day, only unanimous favorable votes would carry a commutation or pardon; several proposed favorable votes therefore failed for lack of unanimity.

- Victim statements and district attorney victim advocates carried significant weight in the board’s deliberations. For example, Tamika White of the 20th Judicial District said of one case: “This was a heinous crime, and we're in opposition in supporting the family in their request that nothing changes with this defendant.” Those statements were cited by multiple board members when explaining denials.

- Correctional staff and wardens often provided the board context about applicants’ disciplinary histories and programming. Angolan staff noted long-term mentorship and behavioral-program leadership for several applicants recommended for commutation or pardon.

Votes at a glance

(Each entry: applicant — brief description — board outcome) - Charles Rodriguez (DOC 437720) — life sentence for two first-degree murders — denied (board vote recorded as denial). - Oscar Robertson (DOC 90556) — serving life for aggravated kidnapping/armed robbery/first-degree murder — denied. - Melvin Jackson (DOC 356924) — resentenced life for second-degree murder (1995) — denied (board did not reach unanimous favorable vote). - Marlin Washington (DOC 125892) — life and habitual-offender convictions for weapon offenses/robbery — denied. - Eudice Biles (DOC 304186) — life sentence for second-degree murder — denied (board noted likely route for medical parole). - Lonnie Kennedy (DOC 110432) — second-degree murder (served ~43 years) — recommended for commutation to 99 years (recommendation to governor; parole process remains). - Pedro Lopez (DOC 10881) — first-degree murder, incarcerated 42 years — recommended for commutation to 99 years with immediate parole eligibility (recommendation to governor). - Daryl Robert Jr. (DOC 522453) — possession of cocaine (2007) — pardon recommended with restoration of firearm rights. - David Bennett — theft conviction (2013) — pardon recommended with restoration of firearm rights (board cited sustained sobriety and community work). - Harrison Jefferson Jr. (DOC 544653) — robbery and related counts (2008) — denied (board noted he will be eligible for parole in 2035 and encouraged preparation for that review). - Additional denials and recommendations: the board considered many other individual applications that resulted in either denials or recommendations; the board placed particular weight on documented victim opposition and on the applicant’s institutional record as reported by wardens and program staff.

Administrative actions

At the close of the docket the board adopted two administrative items that were on the meeting packet: Policy 02203 (eligibility for clemency consideration) and Policy 02205 (application filing procedures). The board voted to adopt both policies without public objection.

What’s next

Recommendations in cases approved by the board will be forwarded to the governor’s office for consideration; pardons and restorations that the board recommends still require the governor’s action to take legal effect. Denied applicants retain any statutory rights to reapply under board rules and may be reminded of parole timelines where those apply.

Quote highlights

- Tamika White, victim-assistance coordinator, 20th Judicial District: “This was a heinous crime, and we’re in opposition in supporting the family in their request that nothing changes with this defendant.”

- Mr. Prater, Pardon Board member, explaining a denial: “My vote is to deny this request, due to the fact that I don't think you've been in jail long enough. I don't think that you're ready to get out.”

- Mr. Tillis, Pardon Board member, on Lonnie Kennedy’s case: “Our vote is going to be to grant with commutation of sentence.”

Ending

The board concluded the docket after more than three hours of hearings and testimony, then moved the adopted policies into the board record. Applicants recommended for commutation or pardon will be notified and their cases forwarded to the governor’s office. Those denied were encouraged by members to continue programming and to reapply or pursue parole where eligibility exists.