Washington Clemency Board votes 4–1 to recommend pardon for Kerry Wilcher

The Washington State Clemency and Pardons Board voted 4–1 on a recommendation to pardon Kerry Wilcher, who asked the board to restore his civil rights and, if applicable, his firearm rights.

Wilcher, 54, told the board he committed juvenile crimes in 1989 and 1990 and expressed remorse during a June hearing, saying he had ‘‘made a series of very bad decisions at a young age’’ and had since worked to change his life. He asked for a pardon so he could serve as a personal representative for his mother and travel with his family without the cloud of a criminal conviction.

Why it matters: A board recommendation does not itself change legal status — the governor has final authority — but the board's vote is the key local step in clemency and pardon petitions. The King County Prosecutor’s Office reviewed Wilcher’s petition and, while noting there were two prior firearm-involved offenses, deferred to the board’s judgment.

Board members spent much of the session weighing Wilcher’s youth at the time of his convictions and his decades-long record of rehabilitation against the seriousness of the underlying crimes and the firearms history. Board Member Rhonda Salveson moved that the board recommend a pardon. Salveson told Wilcher, ‘‘You have taken responsibility for your past actions. You have demonstrated extraordinary circumstances in your rehabilitation.’’ The motion was seconded by Board Member Aileen Flower. Vice Chair Doug Baldwin also voiced support.

Sarah Jackson, appearing for the King County Prosecutor’s Office, acknowledged the time Wilcher had served and his rehabilitation but said the office ‘‘did not come to the decision that in this case it was extraordinary’’ while noting the office was deferring to the board’s judgment.

Chair Raymond Delos Reyes reminded attendees the board's recommendation is advisory: ‘‘I want to remind all the parties involved that this board is only making a recommendation to the governor and that the governor has the ultimate decision making authority and discretion.’’

The board's 4–1 vote advances the petition to the governor’s office; the governor may accept or decline the recommendation. The board also discussed, without taking a separate formal vote, that a pardon could be recommended with a narrowed scope (for example, restoring civil rights but excluding restoration of firearm rights) if members had concerns about firearms.

Next steps: The recommendation will be sent to the governor for final action; no timetable was set at the hearing.