The White House said additional commutations are expected before the end of Obama’s term. President Barack Obama said Friday that the violence in Libya “is just one more chapter in the change that is unfolding” across the Middle East and North Africa. The. But sixteen of the commutations granted Tuesday also included firearms offenses. This is a file photograph – President Obama talks to the White House Press Corps in the WHBR about the progress.
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President Obama commuted the sentences of 111 federal inmates on Tuesday, bringing his total to 673.
“They are individuals who received unduly harsh sentences under outdated laws for committing largely nonviolent drug crimes, for example, the 35 individuals whose life sentences were commuted today”. On Aug. 3, President Obama reduced the sentences of 214 people. “Only the passage of legislation can achieve the broader reforms needed to ensure our federal sentencing system operates more fairly and effectively in the service of public safety”. Numerous criminals whose sentences were shortened Tuesday would have been given far shorter punishments under current guidelines.
Today’s group of commutations includes prisoners hailing from 28 states, with most convictions stemming from offenses related to possession and intent to distribute drugs or controlled substances. More than a third of the recipients were serving life sentences.
White House Counsel Neil Eggleston said the commutations underscored the president’s commitment to using his clemency authority to give deserving individuals a second chance. “For each of these applicants, the President considers the individual merits of each application to determine that an applicant is ready to make use of his or her second chance”.
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James Dillehay, Akron. He was sentenced September 10, 1993, to life in prison for conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine. Under the commutation, his sentence will expire December 28. Ronald Lee Blount Jr., also sentenced in 1999, will be released on December 28.
