TRENTON, NJ — Governor Phil Murphy has granted clemency to three convicted murderers, allowing them to be released from prison and placed under parole supervision, state officials confirmed.

Myrna Diaz was arrested in 2006 and convicted of murder, robbery, two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon, two counts of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, burglary, credit card theft, and conspiracy to commit robbery. In 2010, she was sentenced to 40 years in prison with 34 years of parole ineligibility, followed by five years of post-incarceration parole supervision.

Diaz will now be released and begin a five-year period of parole supervision.

Dawn Jackson was arrested in 1999 and convicted of murder. She was sentenced that same year to 30 years in prison without parole eligibility. Jackson will now be released and remain under parole supervision until March 23, 2029.

Denise Staples was arrested in 2001 and convicted of murder and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. She was sentenced in 2004 to 60 years in prison with 51 years of parole ineligibility, followed by five years of post-incarceration parole supervision.

Staples will now be released and begin a five-year period of parole supervision.

Murphy’s decision to commute their sentences has drawn public attention, though state officials have not provided specific reasons for their clemency.

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