NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced he would be granting clemency to six more people just 4.5 hours before leaving office.
Cuomo, who is stepping down in disgrace at midnight, commuted the sentences of four people — all between the ages of 59 and 76 — who have each served dozens of years in prison on murder charges.
The governor is also pardoning Lawrence Penn, a 59-year-old veteran and West Point graduate who was convicted of falsifying business records in 2015 and served two years in prison
All of those who have been granted clemency have “demonstrated substantial evidence of rehabilitation and a commitment to their communities,” according to a news release from Cuomo’s office.
"The march towards a more fair, more just, more equitable, and more empathetic New York State is a long one, but every step forward we can take it worthwhile and important," Governor Cuomo said in a statement.
The order comes after Cuomo granted clemency to 10 people last week, after he announced his resignation under a cloud of sexual harassment allegations.
"These clemencies make clear the power of redemption, encourage those who have made mistakes to engage in meaningful rehabilitation, and show New Yorkers that we can work toward a better future,” the governor said. “I thank all the volunteer attorneys representing clemency applicants for their dedication and service to justice."
Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul will take over for Cuomo at 12:01 am Tuesday.
The full list of commutations and pardons is below:
Commutations
David Gilbert, 76, was convicted of three counts of second-degree Murder and four counts of first-degree Robbery in 1983. He has served 40 years of a 75-years-to-life sentence.
Gilbert was a founding member of the Columbia University’s chapter of Students for a Democratic Society and a member of the far-left militant organization Weather Underground. In 1981, he was the driver in a robbery of a Brink's armored car that turned deadly.
Gilbert has dedicated his time in jail to AIDS education and prevention programs; he has also worked as a student tutor, law library clerk, paralegal assistant, a teacher's aide, and an aide for various additional facility programs, according to Cuomo.
Greg Mingo, 68, was convicted of four counts of second-degree Murder, first-degree Robbery, first-degree Burglary, and second-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon. He has served 39-and-a-half years of a 50 years-to-life sentence.
Mingo has maintained that he was wrongfully convicted was convicted for a double robbery-murder in Queens in 1980. He was convicted in a second trial after the first ended in a hung jury.
Robert Ehrenberg, 62, was convicted of two counts of second-degree Murder, and one count of first-degree Robbery and first-degree Burglary. He has served 28-and-a-half years of a 50 year-to-life sentence.
While incarcerated, Mr. Ehrenberg has earned as Associate's degree from SUNY Sullivan, and a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Thomas Aquinas College, graduating as valedictorian of his class for both degrees, according to Cuomo’s office.
Ulysses Boyd, 66, was convicted of one count of second-degree Murder, and two counts of second-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon, for an incident in which he was not the gunman. He has served 35 years of a 50 years-to-life sentence.
While incarcerated, Mr. Boyd has served as a clerk for the facility branch of the NAACP, and as a DOCCS transitional services coordinator for over a decade, according to Cuomo’s office. Upon release, Mr. Boyd will be reunited with his wife.
Paul Clark, 59, was convicted of three counts of second-degree Murder, one count of second-degree Attempted Murder, and one count of second-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon. He has served 40 years of an aggregate 58 years and 4 months-to-life sentence.
Pardon
Lawrence Penn, 51, pled guilty to first-degree Falsifying Business Records in 2015, and was incarcerated for two years.