Biden Pardons Individuals with Drug, Alcohol Offenses, Second-Degree Murder Conviction

On Friday, Joe Biden announced the pardons of six individuals who have served sentences for drug or alcohol-related crimes, as well as Beverly Ann Ibn-Tamas, a woman convicted of second-degree murder while in an abusive relationship, according to a report from The Hill.

This marks the third time this year that Biden has exercised his clemency power, having previously pardoned three individuals in April and thousands in October who were convicted of simple marijuana possession.

According to a White House official, “President Biden believes America is a nation of second chances, and that offering meaningful opportunities for redemption and rehabilitation empowers those who have been incarcerated to become productive, law-abiding members of society.”

The official added that second chances for those who have demonstrated their rehabilitation should be an area of bipartisan agreement.

Among those pardoned by the president is Gary Parks Davis, a 66-year-old who pleaded guilty at age 22 to an illegal cocaine transaction. He served a six-month sentence, completed probation in 1981, and has since earned a bachelor’s degree, managed his own business, and volunteered with community organizations.

Edward Lincoln De Coito III, a military veteran who pleaded guilty more than 20 years ago to marijuana trafficking charges, was also pardoned. The 50-year-old had served as a courier on five or six occasions and was released from prison in December 2000. Since then, he has worked as an electrician and pilot.

Vincente Ray Flores, who at age 19 consumed alcohol and ecstasy while in the armed forces, was also pardoned. He pleaded guilty at a special court-martial and has since participated in an Air Force rehabilitation program, returned to active duty, and received multiple awards for his conduct. He currently serves on the Honor Guard and volunteers through Habitat for Humanity and at events for military members returning from deployment.

Beverly Ann Ibn-Tamas, an 80-year-old woman convicted decades ago of killing her husband, was also pardoned. At the time of the incident, she was 33 and pregnant, and testified that her husband physically and verbally abused her and had assaulted her moments before she shot him. During her trial, expert testimony on battered woman syndrome and the effects of domestic violence was not allowed. Ibn-Tamas has since worked for years at an Ohio-based healthcare business and currently serves as a case manager there.

Charlie Byrnes Jackson, a 77-year-old man who pleaded guilty at age 18 to charges over an illegal whiskey transaction, was also pardoned. He was sentenced to five years of probation and was unable to join the Marines after high school because of the conviction. He completed probation in 1969 and has since been an active member of his church and community.

Finally, John Dix Nock III, who pleaded guilty 27 years ago after a building he owned was used to grow marijuana, was pardoned. Nock did not grow the marijuana himself and did not play a role in the operation. He completed the terms of his community confinement in 1997 and his supervised release ended in 2000. He now operates a contracting business and has served as a mentor to contractors and abused young men.

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