Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parole Pardon Docket topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Alabama Board of Pardons & Paroles denies most petitions, grants several pardons and paroles with conditions
Summary
On March 27, 2025, the Alabama Board of Pardons & Paroles denied the majority of parole and pardon requests but granted several pardons and paroles — some limited to voting rights and others conditioned on GPS monitoring, treatment or halfway-house placement.
MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Board of Pardons & Paroles met March 27, 2025, at 301 South Ripley Street and, under authority of Alabama Code, Title 15, Chapter 22, issued decisions on a slate of pardon and parole requests.
Board Chair Leigh Gwathney and members Darryl Littleton and Gabrelle Simmons convened the public meeting at 9:17 a.m., approved the March 26 minutes, and proceeded through the daily docket. Nicole Lewis served as board secretary and recorded the actions.
The Board denied parole for Christopher Gamel Bryant (AIS# 270819) following public opposition from victim Contora Bone, a supporter’s friend Ebonee Horn, VOCAL representative Bill Lisenby, and Veterans Service Officer Sarah Deneve of the Attorney General’s Office. The Board also denied parole for Arthur Earl Williams (AIS# 154361), setting a reset date of March 2030; his hearing drew multiple speakers, including family supporters and an investigator from the Huntsville Police Department.
Several pardon requests were denied after public comment, including bids by Gordon V. Clark and Bradley T. Ridiner. The Board granted a full pardon to Sara Smith Rodgers (AIS# 824933) with restrictions that relieve her from the habitual-offender act and firearms disabilities. In other pardon actions, the Board restored voting rights only to Melvin Henderson Jr. and Lessie Marsh.
After the lunch recess, the Board entered a brief executive session (called at 2:04 p.m. and closed at 2:12 p.m.) to review several files before voting. Following that review, the Board granted parole to William Allen Grimsley (AIS# 261230) with conditions including an electronic GPS ankle monitor, a drug assessment upon release, and registration with Alabama Experience (ALEX). The Board also granted parole to Kara N. Chase (AIS# 295279) conditioned on placement in an approved halfway house, GPS monitoring, mental-health follow-up, a drug assessment on release and completion of 50 hours of community service.
Other case outcomes included denials with reset dates (for example, Courtney T. Threat, AIS# 302591, denied with a reset date of June 2025) and a mix of grants with program-specific conditions. Severiano Dellgado (AIS# 268799) was granted parole subject to a federal detainer; Jennifer Cook Mattingly, Kandi Halford and Demerus William Bell were among those granted parole with conditions such as halfway-house placement, GPS monitoring and assessments.
The Board reviewed attached lists of files recommended for revocation and lists of delinquent parolees during the meeting but recorded no additional open-meeting actions beyond those docket decisions. The Board adjourned at 3:23 p.m.; its next meeting is scheduled for April 1, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. at 301 South Ripley Street in Montgomery.
Votes at a glance: the minutes record denials for a majority of the docketed parole petitions, grants of pardons for Sara Smith Rodgers and others with restrictions, restoration of voting rights for two individuals, and multiple parole grants conditioned on supervision, treatment, or halfway-house placement.
