FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 3, 2021
Governor Asa Hutchinson Announces Intent to Grant Executive Clemency
LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson today announced his intent to grant 1 pardon and two commutations. An additional 64 clemency requests were denied and two had no action taken upon them. These include requests from both inmates and non-inmates.
The applicants intended for pardons have completed all jail time, fulfilled all parole and probationary requirements and paid all fines related to their sentences. There is a 30-day waiting period to receive public feedback on the notices before final action is taken.
Governor Hutchinson intends to grant pardons to the following people:
Anthony S. Knight (Bradford): Aggravated Assault (C Felony) (CR 84-162).
This notice is issued based on the dates of conviction (1985 – Jackson County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed and there have been no further criminal-law violations. There are no law enforcement objections to the application.
Governor Hutchinson intends to grant a commutation of sentence to the following people:
Cecillia Roleson (ADC #702214): Murder-1st Degree (Y Felony) (1979-65) (Jury Trial).
The governor has given notice of his intent to commute the sentence of Cecillia Roleson, who was convicted in Greene County in 1980 for the above offenses, from a total of life without parole to making her immediately parole eligible. The Greene County Sheriff has raised objections to applicant's request.
Donnie Whitley/Peterson: Manufacture, Delivery or Possession of Controlled Substance Narcotic Drug (Y Felony) (1995-120).
The governor has given notice of his intent to commute the sentence of Donnie Whitley/Peterson, who was convicted in Lafayette County in 1996 for the above offenses, from a total of 960 months to serve in the Arkansas Department of Correction to discharging his sentence on March 5, 2031. There are no law enforcement objections to the application
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