Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick says he is acting in the interest of justice in commuting the prison sentence for a nonviolent drug offender and granting 4 pardons.
"There’s very strong cases made in the five recommendations that I have and I think some basic justice that we can do and should do. And now it’s up to the governor’s council."
Patrick commuted the sentence of Deanne Hamilton who is halfway through her 7 and a half year jail term. In 2007, Brockton police found her with 3 grams of cocaine, living in a drug dealers apartment. They charged her with conspiracy to distribute cocaine in a school zone.
This is the first time in 17 years a sitting governor has granted a commutation. It must still be approved by the Governor’s Council.
