APNewsBreak: Evers issuing 1st Wisconsin pardons in 9 years
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Tony Evers will issue Wisconsin's first pardons in nine years, invoking his constitutional power to grant clemency to four people.
Evers plans to issues the pardons Monday, the first he's making as governor after he re-started the pardons board in June. Evers' predecessor, Republican Scott Walker, never issued a single pardon over his eight years as governor.
The planned pardons, provided to The Associated Press ahead of a news conference on Monday, are the first in the state since Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle pardoned more than 100 people in his final three months in office in 2010.
Evers was to pardon Eric Pizer, Kevin Sorenson, Mwangi Vasser and Steven Nichols. All four "have paid their debt to society, made amends, and contributed to their communities," Evers said in a statement. "I believe they deserve a second chance."
Pizer got into a bar got in a bar fight when he was 22 while celebrating his return home from his second tour of duty in Iraq as a Marine. Pizer, now 38, said his felony battery conviction prevented him from pursuing a career in law enforcement and being able to hunt.
Sorenson was convicted of selling the drug ecstasy at a party when he was 17. After completing probation, he got a job as an Air Force civilian employee. Sorensen, now 36, said a pardon would open up more military service opportunities, including volunteering for deployment.
Vasser was 19 when he was arrested for selling cocaine. He went on to receive his doctorate in theology. Now 40, he sought the pardon to pursue being a military chaplain.
Nichols was convicted of felony burglary when he was 21. Now 62, he sought a pardon to be able to hunt and travel to Canada for the Calgary Stampede, an annual rodeo, exhibition and festival.
A pardon doesn't...