Lexington Human Relations Commission allows members to call governor in support of clemency for Charles McNair

The Lexington Human Relations Commission on Nov. 4 discussed a request from community advocates to support clemency for Charles McNair (the transcript spells the name variously as “McNear” and “McNair”). Staff recapped that resident advocate Cheryl Lide had asked the commission to participate in “McNair Mondays,” a weekly effort to call the governor’s office asking for clemency until Christmas if McNair had not been released.

Commissioners expressed sympathy for the inmate and his family while noting the commission’s limited formal role in criminal cases. Several members debated whether repeated phone calls or a formal written statement would be more effective; one commissioner said a letter or resolution from the commission would leave an auditable record of the body’s position, while staff noted that preparing a letter would require a special-called meeting to vote and that voting by email may not be permitted.

Advocates raised timing concerns tied to the governor’s term and said any clemency would likely need to be finalized before the start of 2025. Commissioners also said they were not sure whether the victim’s family supported clemency and that staff would need to confirm details from prior minutes or advocates.

Faced with differing views on process, the commission voted by voice to carry a motion authorizing any board member who wishes to call the governor’s office to do so on behalf of their personal support. The motion was made and seconded on the floor and was carried by voice vote with ayes and no opposition recorded. The action authorized individual members to place calls; it did not create a formal commission resolution or letter at that time.

Staff said they would follow up with Mayor Hayes to determine whether the commission could instead issue a formal letter or have a designated representative act on the commission’s behalf and would report back to the group.

The request stems from advocacy that noted Charles McNair has served more than four decades of a life sentence and that supporters argue some circumstances warrant consideration of clemency. The meeting’s record shows advocates said McNair maintains he did not commit the offense; commissioners repeatedly emphasized they were not acting as judges and that additional information about victim-family sentiment and legal details would be needed for any formal commission position.

The commission did not adopt a written resolution at the Nov. 4 meeting; the most recent procedural step was the voice vote authorizing individual calls and a staff follow-up to the mayor’s office.