Cuomo issues five pardons, commutes five sentences during last week in office

Outgoing New York Governor Andrew Cuomo issued five pardons on Tuesday and also commuted five sentences as he prepares to leave office next week after resigning in the wake of a sexual harassment scandal.

Additionally, Cuomo commuted the sentence of multiple convicted murderers including 45-year-old Jon-Adrian Velasquez and 63-year-old Richard "Lee" Chalk. "One of the foundational promises of New York State is that of equal justice, and equal compassion, for all under the law," Governor Cuomo said. "Today I'm proud to help fulfill government's unique responsibility to harness the power of redemption, encourage those who have made mistakes to engage in meaningful rehabilitation, and empower everyone to work toward a better future for themselves and their families. These ten clemencies are another step on the long march towards a more fair, more just, more equitable, and more empathetic New York. I thank all the volunteer attorneys representing clemency applicants for their dedication and service to the cause of justice and rehabilitation."