[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6473769,"mediaKeyId","5743452-672cb2f74363fbe18571b509b73ae07d","parentId",5743452,"title","Board grants pardons to dozens, continues several cases and denies three applications","audioSeconds",14368,"startMs",32000,"endMs",14400000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5743452-672cb2f74363fbe18571b509b73ae07d&start=32&end=14400","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5743452-672cb2f74363fbe18571b509b73ae07d/thumbnail_32000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6473769/Connecticut/Board-grants-pardons-to-dozens-continues-several-cases-and-denies-three-applications","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6473769-42a0358ca9deece04a1baae724a0118b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771121887&Signature=jv5Xxpj9EFdCJ0Kd2LRRo5VJNeFhbSbMsLBILwOtmZmqGdkQj5VzC-u3aXIxRU6AGpv7WFGd~GNQwfJjMPrKo1upwvnB6qz8pIbMD7pM5~vQBEgL6WICKU7fyRP8daIsCfF-21JWMuuCqdRzhTT4NGYhAY4nVs1Diy6ZgzAPFrLKkNdix3NLSoy5mg9SGYHSNzsksBR03M5sWb~wmpJE45~LfCEGJkMIamIalxQUgxhBR0M2LVW51CHQFjafemWjck7yHkDuJfmJ0sTOPp9XxqeySQ56CG9HorU8bM7FA5V35tzMg67QTf807RMZjFV7ddbi~JrgXW5F2-LxQkQdoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Board of Pardons and Paroles CT","date","2025-09-09T20:16:59Z","article","What happened: The Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles held an absolute-pardon session by video conference on Sept. 9, 2025. Over the course of the day the board granted full and absolute pardons to the majority of applicants on the docket, continued several cases to future dockets, and denied three applications.

Why it matters: Pardons erase or forgive a conviction under state law and can affect job prospects, licensing and immigration sponsorship; the board’s votes are therefore of direct consequence to applicants and, in some cases, to victims and community partners.

Votes at a glance (selected applicants and outcomes)
- Michael Charles Bonajito III — Granted (motion passed; chair called the vote)
- Raymond Dawson — Granted
- Michael Paul Decipio — Granted
- Joshua Levix — Granted (majority; one commissioner recorded a nay)
- Javier Ramos — Granted
- Fernando Ruiz Acevedo — Continued to 2025-10-07 (motion to continue recorded)
- Deanna Salter — Continued to 2025-10-07
- Sandra Torello Manassian — Granted
- Morris Trent Jr. — Granted
- Clifford Yeske Jr. — Granted
- Michael Joseph Dean — Granted
- Gabriel Otero — Granted
- Joshua Vincent Lacombe — Granted
- William Barrett — Granted
- Chesirety (Chesirety) Boykin — Granted
- Fazida Hassan Lofgren — Continued to 2025-10-01
- Jose Gonzalez — Granted
- Jessica Jacobs — Granted
- Marvin Samuel — Granted
- Jose Sanchez Jr. — Granted
- Rafiki (Rafiki John) Tartisi — Granted
- Erling Velasquez — Granted
- Luis (Louis) Aguilar — Granted
- Jose Berrios — Denied (board cited victim impact; denial recorded by majority vote)
- Nelson Collazo Bermudez — Granted (minority dissent recorded)
- George Gomez Sr. — Granted
- Robert Meibane Sr. — Granted
- Gabriel/Edgar Torres — Granted
- Orlando Austin Strong — Granted
- Anthony Bell — Granted
- Mark Charlegio — Granted
- Yahaira Crespo — Granted
- Corey Davis — Granted
- Miguel Hudson — Granted
- William Jensen — Granted
- Raymond Lamprid — Granted
- Daniel Lennon — Granted
- Nicole Lynn — Granted
- Greg Moffett Hellman — Granted
- Jessica Rapuano — Denied (board majority; chair recorded opposing vote)
- Lakeisha Rowe Dickinson — Granted
- Bobby Ruff — Granted
- Kevin Santiago — Granted

Votes, motions and records: The chair moved most motions and board members recorded votes aloud on the record. Where a recorded nay or abstention occurred, it is noted above. For items the board continued, staff set the next hearing date on the record and noted administrative follow-up (records checks, additional submissions).

Notable denials and continuances: Three denials drew extended comment from board members and from victims or victim representatives: the board denied the applications of Jennifer Helmedek, Jose Berrios and Jessica Rapuano (each decision and the principal rationale were entered into the public minutes). Several other applications were continued to allow additional records checks or more time for applicants to provide supporting materials.

How the board reached decisions: Commissioners said they weighed the nature and seriousness of the crimes, victim impact, time elapsed since the offenses and applicants’ rehabilitation. Several commissioners explicitly asked for more evidence of community service in cases where victims or family members testified that harm remained unresolved.

What applicants were told next: Applicants received on-the-record notice of the board’s decisions and were told how to obtain the board’s written reasons and how to reapply or supply follow-up materials for continued cases. The board’s rules and usual timeline for certificate issuance and record processing were reiterated by staff.

Speakers and process: The hearing was presided over by Deborah Smith Palmeri and included commissioners Joy Chance, Sergio Rodriguez, Michael Pohl, Faro Berry and Robert Cizaskas; hearings staff and victim-services representatives were present. The board read motions aloud, recorded votes on the public record, and posted decisions to the board website per standard practice.

Ending: The board will post dispositions and next-docket scheduling on its website. Applicants who were denied or continued were given the statutory information on reapplication and follow-up steps.

Speakers (selected): Deborah Smith Palmeri, presiding chair; Joy Chance, Commissioner; Sergio Rodriguez, Commissioner; parole officer Bryant (hearing coordinator); Office of Victim Services (De Jesus); and counsel or applicants as listed in the transcript.

Notes: This roundup lists final outcomes recorded during the Sept. 9 hearing. For contested denials, the board’s written minutes include additional rationale and are the authoritative record for legal or review purposes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","9/09/2025 Absolute Pardon Hearing","oneSentenceSummary","At its Sept. 9, 2025 virtual hearing the Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles granted pardons to the majority of applicants on the docket, continued a small number of cases and denied three high-profile requests; the board recorded votes and reasons on the public record.","taxTitle","Board of Pardons and Paroles, Departments and Agencies, Organizations, Executive, Connecticut","taxId",15821,"location","Connecticut","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6473774,"Board denies pardon for Jennifer Helmedek after victims urge rejection",1432,2648000,4080000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5743452-672cb2f74363fbe18571b509b73ae07d&start=2648&end=4080","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5743452-672cb2f74363fbe18571b509b73ae07d/thumbnail_2648000.jpg","/articles/6473774/Connecticut/Board-denies-pardon-for-Jennifer-Helmedek-after-victims-urge-rejection","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6473774-4fabeeffad6d8d3acc21e26b3c97c230/orig.mp4?Expires=1771121887&Signature=JaOsrq6JHt~O5vXXKGXQ3qHUnMRl3N3v9~mgYRaPdSqsFQ4McxAtZXBKqXNMX1MF37qh-3wrYARjhfDbZZDz1jRRSrh-ryhJjQAZj~oaPuDFMx4dnDQ6XSK5-Qnbq4UGYlddFqm4R6RYAJxEhQF-JsJ8sZC4aDsa2FdNQNWDzxMEw9Q1-9KGGjKpn3eae30-AMFVhfsQxYMpCmg9yNOGxci2rfKj65iLdE0cHtAHLrRoKrrkdS0ZEzzCK41DkTakL5RFZS9EpPWyUiB-2OpAnQK2NkmKrAF3EHtXyAkedMg9VzMfp0DvuvlkqhHtK5u3WgmSeL7rRtKTTdIX72bNLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles on Sept. 9, 2025, unanimously denied an absolute pardon for applicant Jennifer Helmedek, following extended testimony from the victim’s family and public input from the Office of Victim Services.

Board chair Deborah Smith Palmeri moved to deny the request, and Commissioners Joy Chance and Sergio Rodriguez joined her vote. The board said the seriousness of Helmedek’s role and the continuing impact on victims and their families weighed against erasing her criminal record.

Why it matters: family members and victim advocates told the board that Helmedek’s pardon would erase harms they said were long-lasting and severe. Those statements shaped the board’s decision to deny the application.

Family members told the board they opposed any pardon. Brian Bennett, the father of the victim, said in a prepared statement that Helmedek “set my daughter up to be robbed and murdered,” and criticized the pardon application as an attempt to erase the family’s loss. Angela Bennett, the victim’s mother, told the board the family lost both her daughter and an unborn grandchild and said she opposed a pardon because it would diminish the impact of those deaths.

Board discussion and decision: Chair Palmeri cited the “impact and injury to the victims and the victims’ families” when she announced the board’s reason for denial, saying that erasing the conviction would “diminish” the seriousness of the offense. Commissioners Chance and Rodriguez each recorded aye votes when the chair put the motion to deny; the board’s public record shows the denial was entered by majority.

Case background (as stated in hearing): Helmedek’s original sentence was lengthy and was later reduced after appellate review; her release date was noted in filings as February 2016. The board members said they had reviewed the applicant’s file, program participation and letters from employers and supporters, but emphasized the weight courts and prosecutors place on victim impact when considering pardons.

Victim input and board guidance: The Office of Victim Services organized multiple family statements and one family member addressed the board in person. Commissioners repeatedly told the applicant they recognized rehabilitation but that pardons also serve to balance community notice and victim impact. Several commissioners encouraged the applicant to expand community service and victim-focused outreach if she re-applies.

What’s next: The board recorded the denial in its minutes and advised the applicant of the outcome and the statutory process for reapplication. Attorney representatives and the applicant were given the board’s reason for denial on the record.

Speakers (selected): Deborah Smith Palmeri, Presiding Chair, Board of Pardons and Paroles; Joy Chance, Commissioner; Sergio Rodriguez, Commissioner; Jennifer Helmedek, Applicant; Attorney Dennison, counsel for applicant; Brian Bennett, father of the victim (victim family); Angela Bennett, mother of the victim (victim family); Office of Victim Services (representative: De Jesus).

Ending: The board’s decision leaves Helmedek’s conviction on public record and closes this application. Family members said the outcome acknowledged their continuing loss; commissioners said the decision reflects the board’s weighing of rehabilitation against victim impact.","The Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles unanimously denied an absolute pardon for Jennifer Helmedek on Sept. 9, 2025, after family members of the victim strongly opposed the request and board members said the harm to victims would be diminished by erasing the conviction.","actionData","errors"]

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Board grants pardons to dozens, continues several cases and denies three applications

Board denies pardon for Jennifer Helmedek after victims urge rejection