PRINCETON, N.J. — Governor Phil Murphy granted 48 additional clemencies Monday — 29 pardons and 19 commutations — continuing his statewide effort to offer “second chances” through criminal justice reform. Speaking at Princeton University, Murphy said New Jersey must “stand as the state for second chances” and pledged more clemencies before his term ends in January.
Since launching the initiative in June 2024, Murphy has granted 217 pardons and commutations — more than any New Jersey governor in the past three decades combined. Among the recipients was Jamal Muhammad, sentenced to life for a 1996 robbery that turned fatal. Released in April, he thanked Murphy “a million times” for his freedom and said he now works, teaches, and volunteers in his community.
Other clemency recipients include Laciana Sears, who killed her abusive husband, and Timothy Harris, who committed armed robbery at 18 and will now be paroled. Bishop Joshua Rodriguez, chair of the state clemency board, said mercy “is moral strength in action.” Princeton students also assisted in the review process through a university-led clemency project.
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