Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles grants most requests, denies three; several cases continued

The Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles convened a virtual absolute-pardon hearing Feb. 11, 2025, and voted on applications from more than two dozen people seeking absolute pardons or other relief. Chair Jennifer Medina Zaccagnini opened the session and reiterated that any pardon granted is tentative until record checks are completed by the Connecticut State Police Bureau of Identification, a process the board said can take up to about 10 weeks.

Why it matters: Pardons erase a conviction from the state's public record if all post-hearing checks succeed, which can affect employment, licensing and travel. The board balanced cases where applicants described long periods of rehabilitation against cases where victims or standing protective orders remained in place.

Most of the day's applications were approved. The board recorded approved pardons for people including Donald Hawke Jr., Dwayne Fleming, Joey Gonzales, Michael Shortell, Dimitrios Sturgiotis, Javier Bernal Martinez, Paul Colicci, Alberto Miguel Correa, Frank Cruz Jr., Donald Fidalgo, David Funkhouser, Curtis Johnson, Matthew Laferrier, Jason Levitt, Clarence Mitchell III, David Moss, Joseph Ortega Maldonado, Kenneth Palmeri, Jennifer Rosa, Curtis Slaughter, Tennessee Tillis, Christopher Vendola and Richard Walker. Several other matters were continued or dismissed administratively.

Denials and reasons: The board denied three absolute-pardon requests during the session. In the case of Ernest Blake Jr., board members cited the seriousness of prior offenses and noted two active standing criminal protective orders in his file; the chair moved to deny and the motion carried. In Samuel Flicker’s case, the Office of Victim Services read a detailed victim statement describing lasting physical and neurological injuries; the board said the victim’s account and an active lifelong protective order weighed against granting relief and denied the pardon. The board also denied Woodrow Walker III’s pardon request because members said his extended criminal history would be diminished by expungement and that more sustained sobriety and community supports would be needed before relief.

Several cases were continued: the board agreed to continue Daniel Semedi’s hearing to the March docket after counsel reported the applicant could not be reached; Ricky Nelson Jr. and Stephanie Priestley were also continued for further processing or because the applicant did not appear. Anna Roberts formally withdrew her application and the board dismissed it.

Votes at a glance (applicant — outcome — key notes): - Daniel Semedi — continued to March docket — applicant not present; counsel requested continuance. - Donald Hawke Jr. — granted (absolute pardon) — board recorded unanimous aye vote. - Ernest Blake Jr. — denied — board cited two active standing criminal protective orders and pattern of conduct; motion to deny carried. - Dwayne Fleming — granted (absolute pardon) — unanimous aye vote. - Joey Gonzales — granted (absolute pardon) — board noted 17–18 years since last conviction and employment/mentorship work. - Michael Shortell — granted (absolute pardon) — board cited long period without arrests and positive employment. - Dimitrios Sturgiotis — granted (absolute pardon) — board noted business ownership, apprenticeship work and restitution question to be investigated. - Javier Bernal Martinez — granted (absolute pardon) — board cited long passage of time since conviction and steady work. - Rance (Rience) Victor Carly — granted (absolute pardon) — board noted volunteer and mentoring activity; state’s attorney in New London had previously objected but board approved. - Paul Colicci (Colise Jr.) — granted (absolute pardon) — board noted steady employment in car sales. - Alberto Miguel Correa — granted (absolute pardon) — board noted community work and stable housing arrangements. - Frank (Shrink) Cruz Jr. — granted (absolute pardon) — board acknowledged victim statement read by OVS opposing the pardon, then later concluded the applicant’s broader record supported pardon (victim input preserved in record). - Donald Fidalgo — granted (absolute pardon) — board noted marriage and long-term employment; victim statement opposed but board approved. - Samuel Flicker — denied — OVS read a long victim statement describing concussion, ongoing migraines and complex PTSD; board denied and noted active lifelong protective order. - David Funkhouser — granted (absolute pardon) — board cited long time since last conviction and stable employment and family involvement. - Curtis Johnson — granted (absolute pardon) — OVS reported the victim had no objection; board approved. - Matthew Laferrier — granted (absolute pardon) — board noted nearly a decade of sobriety and steady work. - Jason Levitt — granted (absolute pardon) — board cited treatment programs and community involvement. - Clarence Mitchell III — granted (absolute pardon) — board cited long period without new offenses and volunteer mentoring work. - David Moss — granted (absolute pardon) — board noted sobriety and positive employment history. - Ricky Nelson Jr. — continued to March docket — motion to continue approved. - Joseph Ortega Maldonado — granted (absolute pardon) — board accepted applicant’s written statement, noted subsequent stability and business ownership. - Kenneth Palmeri — granted (absolute pardon) — board cited more than a decade since last arrest and stable employment. - Stephanie Priestley — continued to March docket — applicant did not sign in. - Anna Roberts — application withdrawn/dismissed. - Jennifer Rosa — granted (absolute pardon) — board cited long period since last conviction and stable employment. - Curtis Slaughter — granted (absolute pardon) — board cited long-term work with YMCA and sobriety. - Tennessee Tillis — granted (absolute pardon) — board noted applicant’s statement and work as a commercial driver. - Christopher Vendola — granted (absolute pardon) — board cited long time since offenses and family/community ties. - Richard Walker — granted (absolute pardon) — board noted long recovery and steady employment; active in community volunteering. - Woodrow Walker III — denied — board cited length of criminal-history and that the seriousness of offenses would be diminished by expungement; members encouraged applicant to continue sobriety and reapply when more stability and supports are documented.

What the board said about timing and next steps: Hearing coordinator Pearl Officer Dickey reminded applicants that any pardon granted is tentative; the board must wait for the Connecticut State Police Bureau of Identification to complete record checks and to clear records (the board said that process can take roughly 10 weeks, occasionally longer). Applicants will receive email or mail notification and a certificate once records are cleared.

Office of Victim Services input: The board regularly received victim input through the Office of Victim Services. In at least two cases those statements directly affected the decision: in Samuel Flicker’s case OVS read a detailed statement from the victim describing ongoing medical and psychological harm and opposing lifting a lifelong protective order; in other cases OVS reported victims who did not object, which the board noted during deliberations.

Background: The Board of Pardons and Paroles considers “absolute pardons” (full state-record erasure) and certificates of employability in individual hearings. The board weighs the nature of the original offense, impact on victims, time since the offense, and evidence of rehabilitation when deciding whether to grant relief.

Looking ahead: Several continued cases were rescheduled for the March 2025 docket. Applicants and their counsel are advised to provide current contact information and any needed documentation to the board. If a pardon is granted, it remains tentative until the state police record check is complete and the board issues a certificate of pardon by mail.