Governor Abbott Gives Seven Texans An Early Christmas In The Form Of Full Pardons

On December 23, Governor Abbott signed full pardons for seven Texans that were recommended by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. Texas Governors have made pardons a Christmas and holiday season tradition. The seven Texans listed below will have their crimes removed, a clean slate.

According to the Texas Constitution, criminal cases, except in those of treason and impeachment, the Governor has the power, after conviction, to grant reprieves and pardons.

Under the rules, as the legislature may prescribe, he also can remit fines and forfeitures.

In cases of treason and impeachment, the Governor has to also rely on the advice and consent of the Senate. In such cases where the Senate is in recess, the pardon decisions are put aside until the end of the next session of the legislature.

The Governor must have written signed recommendations of the Board of Pardons and Paroles to grant pardons, reprieves, and commutations of punishments, and to remit fines and forfeitures.

• Simone Lauren Blair, formerly known as Simone Lauren Waters, D.O.B. February 25, 1992, was sentenced in the Criminal District Court #6 in Dallas County on November 18, 2011, to two days in jail for the offense of Attempted Credit Card Abuse, Cause No. F-10-45029-X. View a PDF of the proclamation.

• Jeffrey Leighton Maddox, D.O.B. September 13, 1978, was sentenced in the 368th Judicial District Court in Williamson County on August 27, 1997, to 18 months in jail for the offense of Possession of Marihuana, Cause No. 96-561-K368. View a PDF of the proclamation.

• Todd Robert Jarzynkowski, D.O.B. February 17, 1985, was sentenced in the 54th District Court in McLennan County on November 16, 2006, to 18 months in jail and a $500 fine for the offense of Possession of Marihuana, Cause No. 2004-535- C. View a PDF of the proclamation.

• Matthew Thomas Lours Donohew, D.O.B. March 4, 1985, was sentenced in the County Court in Parmer County on October 21, 2003, to three days in jail and a $500 fine for the offense of Possession of Marijuana less than 2 oz, Cause No. 9434. View a PDF of the proclamation.

• Paul Alexander Fry, D.O.B. December 9, 1985, was sentenced in the County Criminal Court at Law No. 9 in Harris County on December 28, 2005, to 54 days in jail and a $1,500 fine for the offense of Deadly Conduct (Class A Misdemeanor), Cause No. 1345234. View a PDF of the proclamation.

• Anita Elizabeth Soto, D.O.B. July 1, 1981, was sentenced in the County Criminal Court of Appeals #2 in Dallas County on September 30, 2002, to nine months of deferred adjudication probation and a $200 fine for the offense of Theft $500, Cause No. MA0128313-M. View a PDF of the proclamation.

• Tyra Deanna Hodge, formerly known as Tyra Deanna Wilson, D.O.B. October 24, 1971, was sentenced in the County Criminal Court at Law No. 4 in Harris County on November 28, 1995, to four days in jail and a $250 fine for the offense of Public Lewdness (Class A Misdemeanor), Cause No. 9542505. View a PDF of the proclamation.