Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles grants most petitions, denies several high‑harm cases after June 3 remote session

The Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles held an absolute pardon session via Zoom on June 3, 2026, hearing in person and remote testimony from applicants, attorneys and victims’ family members. Chair Nancy Turner opened the session by explaining the board’s authority and the factors it considers—seriousness of the offense, victim impact, time since the crime and evidence of rehabilitation.

Votes at a glance - Frederick J. Cook — DENIED (motion to deny carried; board cited victim impact and seriousness of the offense). "Please do not pardon Frederick Cook," read a family member representing the victim. - Timothy Maver — GRANTED (full, absolute pardon). - Peter Wilbanks — GRANTED (full, absolute pardon). - Jan Jackson — GRANTED (full, absolute pardon). - John Moika — GRANTED (full, absolute pardon). - Ram/Graham Kamani — GRANTED (full, absolute pardon). - Danny Strong — GRANTED (full, absolute pardon). - Tiren (Tine) Clark — GRANTED (full, absolute pardon) after Office of Victim Services relayed that the victim supported the application. - Quincy Reeves — GRANTED (full, absolute pardon) after the victim's mother told the victim services advocate she had forgiven the applicant. - Matthew Sawyer — CONTINUED to a later hearing date. - Sara (Zahira/SR) Cruz — GRANTED (full, absolute pardon). - Joshua Denny — GRANTED (full, absolute pardon). - Adalfo (Mailspman) Malspin — GRANTED (full, absolute pardon; carried by majority vote). - Joshua Mat — GRANTED (full, absolute pardon). - Freddy Padilla — CONTINUED to July (technical issues prevented participation). - James Bernard Seavoi — DENIED (board cited seriousness of sexual offense involving a student and the victim’s lasting harm). - Andre Smith — DENIED (domestic assault: board cited documented injuries and unresolved risk factors). - Mark Shepard — GRANTED (full, absolute pardon) after board considered the lengthy time since convictions and evidence of recent stability.

What the board heard and why some petitions failed The session mixed applicant testimony, attorney advocacy, victim impact statements and re-entry backgrounds. The board reiterated that a grant is "tentative" until record checks are complete and the Connecticut State Police Bureau of Identification clears records.

Two denials drew the most in-depth examination. In Frederick Cook’s case the board probed inconsistent statements about responsibility and noted an extended victim-impact statement from the victim’s family that persuaded members to deny the pardon. In the hearing for James Seavoi — a decades-old teacher‑student sexual offense — board members flagged the severity of the conduct and the continuing trauma to the victim; the board found the application could not be granted.

Several grants followed substantial testimony about sustained rehabilitation. For example, Timothy Maver acknowledged wrongdoing, described more than two decades of stable employment and treatment, and the board voted unanimously to grant an absolute pardon. Mark Shepard, whose last conviction was more than 18 years ago, described steady work and community ties; board members approved his petition.

Victim input shaped outcomes When victims or their families spoke—directly or through the Office of Victim Services—it clearly influenced deliberations. In Tiren Clark’s case, a letter from the state's attorney had recommended denial, but the Office of Victim Services told the board the victim supported a pardon; the board cited that input when voting to grant relief. Conversely, the family statement opposing Cook’s petition contributed to denial.

Procedure and next steps Chair Turner and hearing staff reminded applicants that any grant is subject to final record checks; if the Connecticut State Police Bureau of Identification cannot clear records the tentative grant may not become final. Applicants are mailed certificates once state checks are complete; results are posted to the board’s website and applicants also receive an emailed letter within a week.

The board adjourned at 1:56 p.m. The two continued matters (Matthew Sawyer and Freddy Padilla) will be scheduled for a future hearing.

Representative quotes from the hearing - Chair Nancy Turner, explaining the board’s duty: "The people of the state of Connecticut have vested the board of pardons and parles with the authority to grant pardons for convictions in the state." (opening remarks) - Victim’s family urging denial in Cook case: "Please do not pardon Frederick Cook." (victim family statement) - On the tentative nature of grants: staff reminded applicants that a pardon is not final until record checks are complete and that it may take up to 10 weeks for records to be cleared.

What to watch next The board will post results and follow up with applicants after state record checks. The two continued cases will be scheduled for the next available hearing; advocates, counsel and victims may submit additional materials by the deadlines the board sets.