Governor's Pardon Advisory Board hears pleas from dozens of applicants, then moves to closed session

Mel Barnes, chief legal counsel to Governor Tony Evers and chair of the Governor's Pardon Advisory Board, opened a livestreamed hearing and introduced board members before hearing public testimony from a long roster of pardon applicants.

Applicants were given roughly five minutes each to summarize the offenses they seek pardons for, describe steps taken since completing sentences, and explain why they believe a pardon would benefit their families, employment prospects or community service. Many speakers said their convictions dated back decades and described steady work, education, community volunteering, treatment or faith-based involvement since their sentences. Several applicants told the board a pardon could allow them to obtain professional licenses, work with certain employers, travel internationally or take state jobs they cannot currently hold because of felony records.

For example, Randy Bronstad recounted convictions from the 1990s and described running small businesses and providing full-time care for his wife after a 2022 stroke; he asked the board to “end this chapter” so he could pursue opportunities restricted by his record. Melanie Hickey and Amanda Spindler described past forgery and burglary convictions tied to youth and mental-health issues and said long-term counseling and steady employment supported their requests. Applicants including Nancy Johnson noted a federal conviction that would not be affected by a gubernatorial pardon and said federal relief would require a separate process.

Board members asked applicants clarification questions about case histories, outstanding restitution or liens, treatment and the absence of letters of support. Cindy O'Donnell repeatedly asked applicants to explain gaps in their applications (missing support letters) and probed the practical impact of applicants' records on victims, employers and licensing. Judges on the board queried factual discrepancies in plea or sentencing records where applicants' recollections differed from court documents.

Near the close of the public session the chair asked for a motion to move into closed session under Wisconsin Statute 19.85(1)(a),(d) and (f) to deliberate about specific applications and applicants' medical, financial and personal histories. The board made and seconded the motion and carried it by voice vote, ending the livestreamed public portion and moving to private deliberations; the transcript records the motion and the roll of ayes but no public vote totals for individual applications.

The board told applicants they should expect to hear the outcome of today's hearing in about a month to six weeks; the governor will make any final pardon decisions only after receiving the board's recommendation. The public portion of the hearing included dozens of testimonies, a mix of requests tied to employment, travel and professional licensing, and multiple follow-up questions from board members about restitution, treatment and supporting documentation. The board moved into closed session to deliberate on whether to forward individual applications to the governor for final action.