PRINCETON, NJ – Governor Phil Murphy announced 48 new pardons and commutations Friday during a ceremony at Princeton University, marking another major milestone in his administration’s clemency initiative.
The event, held at the university’s School of Public and International Affairs, celebrated the partnership between Princeton students, state officials, and advocacy groups working to give deserving individuals a second chance.
Murphy said the latest round of clemency brings the total number of pardons and commutations to more than 215 since the initiative began in June 2024.
Key Points
- Governor Phil Murphy grants 48 pardons and commutations under clemency program.
- Princeton University students assisted in preparing cases for review.
- Over 215 clemencies granted since 2024, more than any New Jersey administration in decades.
Princeton’s role in clemency initiative
The event opened with remarks from Amani Jamal, dean of the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs, who described the university’s work with the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender and the ACLU of New Jersey. More than 50 students volunteered over the past academic year to help develop clemency applications through the Princeton Clemency Project.
Murphy praised the students’ efforts, saying, “They have helped prepare applications for current and former state prison inmates seeking legal relief through our clemency initiative.” Two of the individuals granted clemency Friday were assisted by the Princeton team.
Murphy highlights progress and redemption stories
Speaking before an audience at Whig Hall, Murphy described the announcement as “a step forward in building a stronger, fairer, and more accessible criminal justice system.” He credited Special Senior Counsel for Clemency Lee Kelsey O’Donnell, Director of Criminal Justice Policy John Butler, and members of the Clemency Advisory Board chaired by Bishop Joshua Rodriguez for their leadership.
Since launching the initiative under Executive Order 362, Murphy said his administration had moved faster and more deliberately than any prior in state history. “In just 17 months, we’ve provided more pardons and commutations than previous administrations have in decades,” he said.
Former inmates share stories of reform and renewal
Among those present were individuals whose sentences were previously commuted, including Jamal Muhammad, who was released earlier this year after nearly three decades in prison. He told attendees he has since married, started a business, and begun teaching. “Just to take a walk to Wawa is a miracle,” Muhammad said. “I appreciate each heartbeat, each footstep, every breath.”
Murphy also introduced Brenda Thompson, one of 29 people pardoned at the event. Convicted of drug and property offenses two decades ago, Thompson overcame addiction and now works as a certified peer recovery specialist. “This clemency represents restoration, redemption, and renewed purpose,” she said, thanking the governor and her church community for supporting her recovery.
Advisory board chair calls mercy “moral strength in action”
Bishop Joshua Rodriguez, chair of the Clemency Advisory Board, praised the governor’s leadership and described clemency as “moral strength in action.” He said the board’s mission is to evaluate each case “with fairness, compassion, and deep reflection,” emphasizing that mercy and justice must coexist.
As Murphy signed the formal pardons and commutations on stage, he promised additional actions before the end of his term, calling New Jersey “a state for second chances” and a national model for restorative justice.