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 board denied the absolute pardon requested by applicant Matthew Salisbury after the Office of Victim Services read a detailed victim statement describing long-term physical injuries and ongoing effects; two members supported denial and the third concurred, the transcript shows. The application of Isidra Guerrero (forgery-related matter) was put to a vote to grant but failed by majority, resulting in denial. One matter (Frances Fairnot) was continued to the June 4 docket.

Victim statements and board comments The hearing included victim input facilitated by the Office of Victim Services (Miss Vasquez). In several cases Miss Vasquez read statements from victims; in one high-profile case the victim recounted extensive injuries and said he forgave the applicant but urged the board to consider the lasting harm. Board members repeatedly reminded applicants that any pardon granted at the hearing is tentative until record checks are completed by the Connecticut State Police Bureau of Identification and that certificates are issued by mail only after records are cleared.

How the decisions were made For each case the board noted it had prescreened applications and reviewed written materials before the public hearing. Applicants were sworn and allowed brief testimony and questions from board members. Many applicants described rehabilitation steps — completion of treatment programs, steady employment, education, volunteer work, and family responsibilities — that the board cited when explaining votes. Board members also asked about ongoing sobriety, participation in treatment or community-service activities and any contact with victims.

What's next When a pardon is granted at the hearing it is described in the transcript as "tentative"; finalization requires successful completion of record checks and official notification by mail. The board reminded applicants to expect letters within one week and public posting of results within 48 hours. Applicants who were denied were encouraged to maintain positive change and reapply in the future.

Votes at a glance (selected docketed applicants and outcomes) - Victor Contreras Narvaez — motion to grant absolute pardon; board vote: Joy Chance aye, Nancy Turner aye, Chair Jennifer Zaganini aye; outcome: granted. - Patrick Catabone — motion to grant; Joy Chance aye, Nancy Turner aye, Chair aye; granted. - Anthony Moore — motion to grant; Joy Chance aye, Nancy Turner aye, Chair aye; granted. - Sean Santoro — motion to grant; Joy Chance aye, Nancy Turner aye, Chair aye; granted. - James Sauls Jr. — motion to grant; unanimous; granted. - Romans (Ronash) Brown — motion to grant; unanimous; granted. - Daniel Fountain — motion to grant; unanimous; granted. - Dylan Ryan — motion to grant; unanimous; granted. - Matthew Salisbury — motion to deny absolute pardon; Joy Chance aye, Nancy Turner aye, Chair aye; outcome: denied (board cited seriousness of injuries and victim impact). - Matthew Zalo Evans — motion to grant; Joy Chance aye, Nancy Turner no, Chair Jennifer Zaganini aye; outcome: granted by majority (one dissent recorded). - Ricardo Edward Jr. — motion to grant; unanimous; granted. - Michael Hayes — motion to grant; unanimous; granted. - Jose Ortiz — motion to grant; unanimous; granted. - Frankie Figueroa — motion to grant; unanimous; granted (victim input read that favored pardon). - Robert Moran (Moore in transcript) — motion to grant; unanimous; granted. - Jose Aquino — motion to grant; unanimous; granted. - Terrell Boyd — motion to grant; unanimous; granted. - Daja Elke — motion to grant; unanimous; granted. - Isidra Guerrero — motion to grant failed (Joy Chance no, Nancy Turner no, Chair yes); outcome: denied by majority. - Kyle ("Kyle Lassiter" on docket) — motion to grant; unanimous; granted. - Jordan Myers — motion to grant; unanimous; granted. - Angel Resto — motion to grant; unanimous; granted. - Luis Robles — motion to grant; unanimous; granted. - Paul Robles — motion to grant; unanimous; granted. - Kendall Scott — motion to grant; unanimous; granted. - Tyshawn Walker — motion to grant; unanimous; granted. - Bobby Wright — motion to grant; unanimous; granted. - Continued: Frances Fairnot — continued to June 4 docket.

How the board framed grants and denials Board members repeatedly emphasized that a pardon at the hearing is provisional and that finalization depends on record checks by the Connecticut State Police Bureau of Identification. Members said they weigh factors including seriousness of the original offense, evidence of rehabilitation, victim input and public safety. When denying or expressing reservations, members cited lingering risk to public safety or the severity of victim harm as recorded in police and medical reports.

Ending note The Board of Pardons and Paroles held a full docket and moved relatively quickly through a broad set of applications, granting most petitions while denying or continuing a small number. The board said applicants would receive written notice within one week, and that pardons granted at the hearing remain tentative until records are cleared by state police.