Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles grants most petitions at May 7 hearing; several denied or continued

The Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles met by videoconference on May 7, 2025, to hear in-person and remote applicants seeking absolute pardons and certificates of employability. Chairperson Jennifer Zaganini presided; Parole Officer Bryant served as hearing coordinator. Board members Nancy Turner and Joy Chance joined the session. The board heard more than three dozen cases and issued rulings on the spot.

Why it matters: Pardons erase or limit the legal effects of prior convictions in Connecticut only after a process that includes prescreening, in-person testimony and post‑hearing record checks by the Connecticut State Police Bureau of Identification. For applicants, a granted absolute pardon can remove barriers to employment, housing and licensing; for victims and communities, the hearings are a public forum to describe ongoing harm.

Most applications granted, a few denied or continued The board granted the majority of the petitions it heard. Examples of granted absolute pardons announced at the hearing include Victor Contreras Narvaez, Patrick Catabone, Anthony Moore, Sean Santoro, James Sauls Jr., Romans (Ronash/Ronash) Brown, Daniel Fountain, Dylan Ryan, Matthew Zalo Evans (granted with one dissent noted in the transcript), Ricardo Edward Jr., Michael Hayes, Jose Ortiz, Frankie Figueroa, Robert Moran, James (James) Kelly Jr., Mark Anderson, Jose Aquino, Terrell Boyd, Daja Elke, Tina Floyd, Andrea Guerrieri, Corey Guarduoso, Stacy Grayson, Brendan Griffin, Kyle (listed as "Kyle Lassiter" in the docket) and several others. Many approvals were unanimous among the three board members present; a small number passed by majority vote.

Denied, continued and victim input The…