BOSTON - Governor Maura T. Healey today recommended three individuals to the Governor’s Council for pardons: Danis Reyes, William Veal and Kenny Jean. Governor Healey made history last year by becoming the first Governor in 30 years to recommend pardons in her first elected year. To date, the Governor’s Council has approved all 13 of her pardon recommendations, as well as her nation-leading blanket cannabis pardon that impacts thousands more. 

“These pardons, combined with our sweeping cannabis pardon and new clemency guidelines, are an important step to making our justice system more fair and equitable,” said Governor Healey. “I look forward to continuing our efforts to use the power of clemency as a tool to right the wrongs of the past and make our state stronger and safer.”

“We appreciate the Governor’s Council careful consideration of the Governor’s pardon recommendations to date and are grateful for their continued partnership,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll.

The Governor of Massachusetts has the power to grant executive clemency for offenses violating state law, including both pardons and commutations, with the advice and consent of the Massachusetts Governor’s Council. A pardon is a forgiveness of the offender's underlying offense.

Last year, Governor Healey also issued new clemency guidelines that align with her administration’s commitment to center fairness and equity in the criminal justice system.

Those being recommended for pardons are:

Danis Reyes: Reyes was convicted of Distribution of a Class A Controlled Substance and Conspiracy to Violate the Controlled Substances Act in 1995. He has since become an involved parent of three children and three young grandchildren and active community member, including involvement with Lawrence Community Work. He works as a local carpenter.

William Veal: Veal was convicted of Knowingly Receiving Stolen Property in 1981 when he was 21 years old. He was also convicted of Assault and Battery in 1983 and Conspiracy to Commit Larceny, Conspiracy, and Larceny in 1991. He lives in Brockton and is the father to ten children and thirteen grandchildren. He worked for 25 years as an autobody painter and volunteers with the Gallivan Community Center and Mattapan Community Center, and he also started a non-profit basketball league tournament that became the Chills Diamond Ring Education Foundation. He is seeking a pardon so that he can gain employment as a Constable/Process Server and apply for federal funding for the non-profits that he works with.

Kenny Jean: Jean was convicted of Armed Robbery in 2016 when he was 18 and sentenced to 2-3 years in prison. He says that at the time, he was homeless and in desperate need of money. As a teenager, he worked with a nonprofit called More Than Words, which provides jobs and training to system-involved youth. When he was released from custody, he continued to work with the organization. He earned his certificate of completion from South Coast Education Collaborative, completed the New England Culinary Arts Training Program and joined a church. Governor Healey recommended Jean for a conditional pardon last year, which the Governor’s Council approved, and the Governor is now recommending him for an unconditional pardon.

Statements of Support:

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley:
“Today is a meaningful day for Mr. William Veal and his family and I join them in celebrating the Governor’s recommendation for pardon by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Mr. Veal has dedicated himself to mentoring young people and giving back to community. Through basketball leagues and service at Gallivan Community Center and the Mattapan Community Center, he has made meaningful contributions to the broader community. Restorative justice practices like Governor Healey’s use of the pardon are essential to repairing and rebuilding our communities impacted by incarceration, and Mr. Veal’s pardon will rightfully help set him, his loved ones, and our community writ-large on a pathway to healing.”

Senator Liz Miranda:
“Residents of our community experience lifelong consequences as a result of a criminal record, preventing them from pursuing career advancement, housing security, and economic mobility. Particularly our Black community who, as a whole, have yet to experience a break in this pipeline. The pardon recommendation of Willie "Chill" Veal is an example of how our Commonwealth can do the right thing for someone who’s exemplary leadership in community has supported at-risk youth in the City of Boston for over three decades. His contribution to our community has made us all better. I’m proud that the Healey-Driscoll administration continues to prioritize pardon recommendations for people who shouldn’t have been introduced to the criminal legal system to begin with – this is an important moment for our Commonwealth in rectifying undue harm of the past.”

Second Assistant Majority Leader Frank A. Moran:
"Danis has been an upstanding citizen for the past 30 years and has put in the work and self-reflection to reach this point. I am grateful to Governor Healey and the Governor's Council for their diligent work to ensure that ind