Blunt grants first pardons as governor

By Tom Weber, KWMU

St. Louis, MO – Missouri Governor Matt Blunt has issued the first pardons of his governorship.

John Hall stole a car more than 50 years ago, and has been clean ever since. He now lives in Springfield, Ill. and is one of four men who had recommendations from the Parole Board for a clean slate.

Spokesman Brian Hauswirth says governors usually get about 600 requests for pardons each year, and these are the only four that Blunt will issue this year "Local law enforcement will be contacted and if they have concerns about an individual receiving a pardon that would weigh heavily in Governor Blunt's decision," Hauswirth added.

"In this case, with these four, local law enforcement in their areas were not opposed to them receiving a pardon."

Raymond Creasy, Gale Davis, and David Mullikin are getting the other three pardons. None of the four live in the St. Louis area.

"They made a mistake many, many years ago," noted Hauswirth. "The governor feels these four individuals have paid the price - they've lived productive, decent lives. And his hope here is these pardons will help them lead an even more productive life."

Missouri's last two governors, Bob Holden and Roger Wilson, each issued 45 pardons during their terms.