The Merit Review is one step of a multi-step 5 year long commutation process. It is at this stage where the board votes on whether the applicant has enough "merit" to be granted a public hearing. For people with long and life sentences involving violence the applicant needs 3 out of 5 votes to be granted a public hearing.
In this session 102 people with life and long sentences were reviewed.
8 hearings were granted.
94 were denied. All but 2 cases were unanimously denied.
Leon T. Garland, Lori Lassiter, Rodney McCullough, Luis Pagan, Jacqueline White were all granted hearings with a unanimous vote.
Phu Nguyen received 4 Yes 1 No - Grayson
JT Sanders received 3 Yes 2 No - Grayson, Williams
Diane Weaver received 4 Yes 1 No- Williams
In old business, Rafael Droz who was denied public hearing in May with 1 no vote from Grayson, was granted his reconsideration request and will get a 2nd public hearing.
From Board of Pardons Website:
www.bop.pa.gov...
July ​​Merit Review Session
​On Thursday, July 11th, at 9:00 am, the Board of Pardons will vote to "merit review" 1​02 ​​applications (the vote whether to grant a public hearing) before adjourning.
To listen in on the session please visit pacast.com/liv...
View Agenda: www.bop.pa.gov...