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Governor's Pardon Advisory Board hears more than two dozen applicants in virtual November session
Summary
At a November virtual hearing the Governor's Pardon Advisory Board heard oral statements from dozens of applicants seeking pardons, asking follow-up questions and then moving into closed session to deliberate; applicants were told recommendations will go to the governor in about a month to a month and a half.
Mel Barnes, the governor's chief legal counsel and chair of the Governor's Pardon Advisory Board, opened the November virtual hearing with procedural instructions and a reminder of the three questions each applicant should answer: a brief summary of the offense and sentence, what they have done since completion of their sentence, and why they believe they should receive a pardon. "We'll ask you to spend the first three minutes of your time answering the questions that were sent to you," Barnes said, and warned applicants the board would meet in closed session to decide which applications to forward to the governor.
Over the course of the public session the board heard from more than two dozen applicants who described a wide range of convictions — from youthful property and theft offenses to drug-possession and weapons-related charges — and described decades of post‑sentence rehabilitation, steady employment, family responsibilities and volunteer work. Several applicants told the board the conviction has continued to block employment, licensing, travel and volunteer opportunities: "It's like this big weight — this dark cloud," said Tarnisha Brown, who described serving time and later steady work in caregiving and retail.
Other applicants documented formal training and community service. Marquise Hopgood described prison as a turning point, saying he completed educational programs there and went on to barber school and carpentry training; he said his post-release work includes mentoring youth and running small businesses. "It makes me feel good" that the Milwaukee County district attorney's office reviewed and supports his application, Hopgood told the board. Corey Prince said he has worked extensively with currently and formerly incarcerated people, completed college coursework and community programs, and urged the board to consider how a felony record has limited his paid opportunities despite community leadership roles. "This felony is hindering me," Prince said.
Board members asked routine follow-ups: several probed outstanding tax warrants, online social-media posts showing firearms, details of plea decisions and whether applicants had submitted letters of support. The board repeatedly noted that district attorneys or judges in Milwaukee County had reviewed and in many cases recommended support for applications; board members clarified that the advisory board's recommendation is not the final decision and that the governor makes the final determination.
After hearing the day's applicants, the board voted to move into closed session under Wisconsin Statute 19.85(1)(a), (d) and (f) to deliberate about specific applications and to consider applicants' confidential financial, medical and personal histories. Chair Barnes said applicants would receive notice of the outcome in approximately a month to a month and a half.
What happens next: the advisory board's recommendations — requiring a majority of members present to forward an application — will be sent to the governor, who makes the final decision on granting pardons. Applicants who appeared at the hearing were told they will be notified of the board's recommendation roughly one to six weeks after the meeting.
