Series VI. Clemency: Pardon Files-Denied , 1996-2006 (accessions 42418, 42513 and 42630) RESTRICTED FOR 75 YEARS .

Containers:

Box 31-87, 285-287

Extent:

Extent: 21.76 cu. ft.

Scope and content:

Series documents the pardons denied by Governor's George F. Allen (1996-1998), James S. Gilmore (1998-2002) and Mark R. Warner (2002-2006). The files are arranged into four subseries: Allen and Gilmore and Warner, 1996-2002, Medical Denials, 1996-1998, 2001, Warner, 2003-2006 and Capital Punishment files, 2002-2006. The files are arranged alphabetically (1996-2002 and 2005-2006) and chronological by date of last action taken such as a denial letter or request to pardon board for an investigation (2003-2004). In some instances there are two files - one filed by date of last action and a second file by date of denial. Capital Punishment clemency files are arranged chronologically by date of execution or action taken by Governor. This series contains confidential and privacy-protected information. Access is restricted for 75 years after date of creation per Code of Virginia 42.1-78.

Each pardon filed usually includes a copy of the pardon denial letter from the Secretary of the Commonwealth, parole board investigation, Virginia Criminal Information Network reports, Executive Clemency Review Form, and recommendation letters or other supporting documentation. A small number of applicants included photographs of themselves and/or family.

Most, but not all, capital punishment files contain a clemency petition (either a letter or a formal document), legal files (trial transcripts, court rulings, execution orders, etc.) and correspondence from interested parties. Some also include memorandum about the petition by the Counselor to the Governor, Robert M. Blue (2002-2005) to Governor Warner, handwritten by Blue concerning the case and police and prison files.

Notable denied pardon files include: Elizabeth Renee Otte (denied 10 October 2002), Davey James Reedy (denied 14 January 1998 and 9 September 2004), Dustin Turner (denied 28 November 2005) and a request to amend Earl Washington's 2000 absolute pardon (denied 2 December 2005).

Notable denied capital punishment clemency files include: Percy Levar Walton (execution stayed by U.S. Supreme Court, 27 May 2003) and Bobby Wayne Swisher (executed 22 July 2003).

Access and use

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