Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles grants clemency to most applicants; three denials, one continuation

HARTFORD, Conn. — The Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles held an absolute-pardon hearing June 4, 2025 by Zoom and tentatively granted full pardons to the majority of applicants who appeared, denied three petitions and continued one matter for a later docket.

Chairperson Michael Pohl opened the hearing by explaining the board's powers and the process: "The people of the state of Connecticut have vested at the Board of Pardons and Paroles with extraordinary power to grant pardons for convictions in the state," he said, noting pardons are "tentative" until record checks are completed.

Why it matters

Pardons can remove legal barriers that limit employment, housing and travel for people with past convictions. Board members repeatedly told applicants they consider the seriousness of the original offense, evidence of rehabilitation, victim input and the length of time since the convictions.

What happened

The board conducted a long docket of individual hearings. Most applicants who addressed the board described years of steady work, sustained sobriety or community service since their convictions; many applicants had attorneys on the call. In several cases board members praised applicants' volunteer work and family stability. For one high-profile case, the board denied an application after extensive victim-family statements.

Victim input and a denied application

In the case of Geraldo Santiago Sr., members of the Ramos family addressed the board by video and described the continuing impact of the 1995 homicide of Franklin Ramos. Shirley Ramos told the board, "The incident occurred 08/12/1995, a date forever etched in my heart and memory. . . . I strongly oppose any pardon for the person convicted of his murder." Several board members said the family's statements were influential; the board voted to deny Santiago's pardon.

Votes at a glance (selected outcomes)

- Hugo Alberto Vega — Granted (full and absolute pardon). Chair moved; Board Member Joy Chance and Board Member Robert Czazakis voted aye. (Applicant counsel: Alex Taubes.) - William (Guarino/Garrino) — Granted (full and absolute pardon). Applicant described nine years sobriety and community service; board voted aye. - Geraldo Santiago Sr. — Denied. Victim-family testimony influenced the decision; board voted to deny. - Charles Dimitri Sava — Granted. - Lamar Demetrius Boomer — Granted. - Steven Scott McGuire — Granted. - Domingo Morales Mejias — Granted. - Donovan Miller — Granted. - Kelvin (Elwin) Townsend — Granted. - Stefano Alejandro Anguita — Granted; victim in that case told the board she supported the pardon. - David Thomas Guzman Jr. — Granted. - Carlos Ramon Hernandez — Granted. - Elvis John Lozada — Granted. - Nicole Lee Tardiff — Granted (applicant described nine years sobriety and treatment participation). - Brian Aaron — Granted (applicant cited military service, volunteer firefighting and sobriety). - Sarah Betts — Granted. - Kimyatta Lynn Bivens Littles — Granted. - Jakari Lamar Brown — Granted. - Cedric Duane Council — Granted. - Matthew Curran Sr. — Granted. - Troy Donald Daniels — Granted. - Christian Duque — Denied. Board members cited recent driving-while-impaired history and recommended additional time and volunteer work before reconsideration. - Sean Michael Olumba — Granted by majority (one dissent noted by Board Member Chance). - Francis Arlington Fairnott — Continued to the September 9, 2025 docket. - Devon Gill — Granted. - Dawn W. Grant Lockley — Granted (applicant described long-term volunteer work rebuilding trust with her community). - Tony Rashad Green — Granted. - Penny Talmadge Harris — Granted. - Ramon Antonio Lopez — Denied (board cited the seriousness of the original offenses and a more recent workplace incident involving a facsimile firearm; denied after discussion). - Richard Emmanuel Lopez — Granted. - Leandro (Leandro/Leandro) Martinez — Granted. - Terrence (Terrence) McIntosh — Granted. - Natasha Alicia Mackenzie — Granted. - Michael Joseph Morton — Granted. - Edwin Nieves — Granted. - Theo Brad Peters — Granted. - Joseph Steven Pettis — Granted. - Marcus Pitt — Granted. - Edwin Rojas — Granted (majority; one board member opposed). - Quintilian Maurice Scott — Granted. - Karen Antoinette Snellings — Granted. - Dornell Yorel Spearman — Granted. - Robert M. Walton — Granted. - Sandra Lynn Williams — Granted. - Tajuana Williams — Granted. - John Anthony Zazima — Granted (board noted an open motor-vehicle matter that staff and the chair said did not bar consideration; candidate said he was prepared to resolve it in court).

Process notes and next steps

- All pardons in this hearing were described as "tentative" pending final records checks and clearance by the Connecticut State Police Bureau of Identification; chairperson Pohl reminded applicants the board issues a certificate by mail only after record erasure is confirmed. - Where victims or victim-family members spoke, board members said they weighed those statements heavily. Members also cited evidence of sustained sobriety, employment stability, training, volunteer service and time elapsed since the conviction when explaining favorable votes. - The board continued 1 case and encouraged several applicants to pursue additional community service or counseling before seeking a future hearing when members expressed concern about recent behavior or unresolved issues.

Ending

Pohl closed the hearing at approximately 3:45 p.m., reminding applicants to expect written notice and that final administrative steps remain before any…