PRESS RELEASE
Office Of The Governor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, June 24, 2005

Governor Ehrlich Grants Clemency to Two.
Seven pardons granted on June 6, 2005.

ANNAPOLIS - Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. today granted executive clemency to two individuals. The Governor granted pardons to:
  1. Melvin Burley, 51, convicted of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute in 1978. He was sentenced to three years suspended and three years probation.


  2. Alcure Walker, 44, convicted of wear/carry handgun in 1995. He was sentenced to three years suspended and supervised probation until November 18, 1996.


The Secretary of State advertised pardon applications for grantees on June 13, 2005, in The Daily Record.


In addition, on June 6, 2005, as the result of April deliberations, Governor Ehrlich granted pardons to:


  1. Timothy Branham, 40, convicted of breaking and entering in 1982. He was sentenced to eighteen months suspended and eighteen months unsupervised probation.


  2. Gary Cooper, 37, convicted of misdemeanor theft in 1988. He was sentenced to two years supervised probation.


  3. Claudio Ferrario, 42, convicted of driving intoxicated and under the influence of alcohol, failing to stop to identify self upon striking an attended and unattended vehicle, and reckless driving in 1986. He was sentenced to sixty days suspended and twelve months supervised probation on two counts, thirty days suspended and twelve months supervised probation on one count, and fined for the reckless driving conviction.


  4. Ronald Lent, 64, convicted of assault in 1962 and disorderly conduct in 1963. He was fined $52.50 and sentenced to 29 days in jail or payment of a $290.00 fine.


  5. Patricia Ray, 52, convicted of shoplifting in 1973. She was fined $25.00.


  6. Tonya Roberts, 34, convicted of battery in 1990. She was sentenced to sixty days suspended and eighteen months probation.


  7. Mary Stevenson, 41, convicted of unauthorized use in 1984 and violation of probation in 1986. She was sentenced to thirty days in jail and eighteen months probation and eighteen months suspended and three years probation, respectively.


"These men and women completed their designated punishments, and continue to demonstrate rehabilitation by leading exemplary lives. The offenses on their criminal records are not representative of the individuals they have become," said Chairman David R. Blumberg of the Maryland Parole Commission.


Under Article II, Section 20 of the Maryland Constitution, the Governor may grant reprieves and pardons. The legal process to grant a pardon as set forth in Correctional Services Title §7-206 authorizes the Maryland Parole Commission ("MPC") to review and make recommendations to the Governor concerning a pardon, commutation of sentence, or other clemency. This nonbinding recommendation is submitted to the Governor for review. The Governor may choose to accept, modify, or reject MPC's recommendation. For purposes of effectuating a pardon, the Governor must issue a written executive order under the great seal. In addition, the Governor "shall give notice, in one or mo re newspapers, of the application made for pardon, and of the day on, or after which, his decision will be given." A pardon does not remove a conviction from a person's criminal record.

read more press releases