Christmas clemency and pardon stories

Christmas time often prompts chief executives to grant clemencies or pardons, and this year is no exception.  A few days ago, as discussed here, President Bush granted 11 pardons, and Margy Love has this terrific commentary on these pardons over at the White Collar Crime Prof Blog.  Over the last few days, some governors have also gotten into the holiday spirit with clemencies or pardons:

• This article discusses a clemency granted by New York Gov. George Pataki to a drug offender.

• This article discusses the two persons who received pardons from Colorado Gov. Bill Owens.

• This article discusses the pardons granted by Texas Gov. Rick Perry to two men cleared of rape and murder charges by new DNA testing.

• This article discusses the pardons granted by Virginia Gov. Mark Warner to two men convicted of sexual assault who were recently cleared after a review of DNA evidence.