JEFFERSON CITY – Gov. Jay Nixon today announced he has granted pardons to five men and three women convicted of non-violent offenses. Each of the individuals has completed his or her sentence and become a law-abiding citizen.
“My office gives a very careful review to each petition for clemency we receive, because the power to grant pardons is a weighty responsibility,” Gov. Nixon said. “Those reviews have shown that in each of these cases the individual has taken the right steps to become law-abiding and a contributing member of his or her community, and that a pardon is merited.”
The Governor granted pardons to the following individuals:
- Debra Burks was placed on a two-year term of unsupervised probation on a conviction of misdemeanor stealing out of Greene County in 1992. She successfully completed the probation and became a registered nurse. Burks is now retired.
- John Cox was placed on a five-year term of probation after being sentenced to 120 days in the Department of Corrections for selling cocaine in Adair County in 1990. Since being discharged, Cox has been continually employed and currently owns and operates his own carpet-cleaning business.
- Christine Dickens was given a $50 fine in 2002 for passing a bad check in St. Francois County. Dickens is employed and has been working to earn her associate’s degree.
- Roy Harrell pleaded guilty to second-degree burglary in Camden County in 1962 for stealing a brush saw. He was paroled after serving one year of a three-year prison sentence and was subsequently discharged from parole without obtaining any violations. Harrell is now retired after a career of steady employment.
- Eric Lemmons pleaded guilty to a charge of misdemeanor stealing out of St. Charles County in 1991 and received a two-year term of probation. Since completing probation, he has demonstrated a stable lifestyle and obtained a degree in business administration. Lemmons currently is employed in the information technology field.
- Michael McIntire successfully completed a two-year term of probation for burglary and stealing convictions he received in Cape Girardeau County in 1964. After being discharged from probation, he served in Vietnam with the U.S. Army. McIntire also served in the U.S. Air Force. He is now retired and lives in Virginia.
- Barry Middleton pleaded guilty to stealing a saddle in Stoddard County in 1970 and was sentenced to 60 days in jail and two years on probation. Middleton was steadily employed before retiring.
- Sharon Snow pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance in Newton County in 1994 and was placed on a two-year term of probation, which she successfully completed without obtaining any violations. Snow has obtained her master’s degree in occupational and adult education and her MBA, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in pastoral counseling.
Earlier this week, Gov. Nixon signed Senate Bill 588, which will make it easier for former offenders who have completed their sentences, paid restitution, and become law-abiding citizens to petition the court to close their criminal records. The legislation aims to make it easier for Missourians with criminal histories to obtain employment, while also ensuring law enforcement agencies can access the information they need to protect the public.
In April, Gov. Nixon signed Executive Order 16-04, to lessen barriers to individuals with criminal histories attempting to enter the workforce, lower recidivism rates and improve public safety.
