Gov. Kathy Hochul granted pardons to 13 people, including three convicted of crimes in Nassau and Suffolk, who demonstrated remorse, exemplified rehabilitation and showed a commitment to improving themselves and their communities, Hochul’s office announced Friday.
The people who received pardons include Frank Merola, 52, who was convicted of fourth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance in Nassau in 1997, and Jimmy Jean-Baptiste, 42, who was convicted of fourth-degree arson in 2008, also in Nassau.
Susannah Morgan-Thomas, 60, convicted of third-degree assault in 1989 in Suffolk, also received a pardon, a statement from Hochul’s office said.
"When I took office, I pledged to reform the clemency process by bringing greater transparency and expert analysis to each case that comes b