The Pardon Advisory Board convened for its second morning session, led by Deputy Legal Counsel Leslie Frijell, with all board members present. The meeting featured a diverse panel, including individuals with extensive backgrounds in law enforcement, corrections, and community service. Notable members included Anthony Cooper, a former pardon recipient; Reverend Gary Hancock, a prison ministry director; Judge Jeffrey Kremmer, a retired circuit court judge; Denis O'Donnell, a former deputy secretary of the Department of Corrections; and Noble Ray, a former chief of police known for his work in racial bias training.
Frijell outlined the meeting's structure, emphasizing that it would be live-streamed for public access. Applicants were informed they would have five minutes to present their cases, which included summarizing their offenses, post-sentence activities, and reasons for seeking a pardon. The board would then enter a closed session to deliberate on the applications, with decisions communicated to applicants within one to two months.
The first applicant, Peter Daley, expressed his motivation for seeking a pardon due to challenges in securing employment linked to his felony burglary convictions. The session marks a critical step in the pardon process, reflecting ongoing efforts to address reintegration challenges faced by individuals with criminal records.