ACLU-NJ Celebrates Final Round of Releases Under The Clemency Project

The ACLU of New Jersey celebrates Governor Murphy’s announcement today of 51 commutations and 97 pardons, including 16 of the ACLU-NJ's Clemency Project clients whose sentences will be commuted: Pablo Acevedo, Daniel Brown, Marvin Brown, Zaire Evans, Jamie Farthing, Avram Gottlieb, Heshimu Heru, Briann Lindsey, Maria Montalvo, David Moon, Gary Sayers, Jama Smith, Germania Terrero, Rashid Walker, Natasha White, and Wali Williams.

Today’s final clemency announcement by the Murphy administration – the largest day of clemency action in modern New Jersey history – marks a monumental and unprecedented achievement for our state: a total of 455 people granted clemency, including 37 clients of the ACLU-NJ.

“The historic grants of clemency made by Governor Murphy have made our state stronger and fairer for every single New Jerseyan,” said ACLU-NJ Executive Director Amol Sinha. “By restoring dignity and hope for those working toward redemption, he has proven that compassion is strength. I am grateful for Governor Murphy’s commitment to addressing injustices in the criminal legal system throughout his term, including meaningfully confronting mass incarceration by reducing our prison population to historic lows. We hope the Sherrill administration builds on this momentum by making decarceration efforts a priority.”

Launched in 2024, The Clemency Project is part of the ACLU-NJ's larger decarcerative vision that centers racial and social justice, reimagines the criminal legal system, and encourages the use of categorical clemency. Working with partners from Lowenstein Sandler LLP, New York University School of Law, Princeton University School of Public & International Affairs, and Rutgers University School of Law, the ACLU-NJ represented 90 people petitioning for commutations.

The majority of The Clemency Project’s clients are survivors of domestic violence or are serving sentences impacted by extreme trial penalties – a reference to people who are serving significantly longer sentences because they opted to exercise their constitutional right to a trial rather than agreeing to a prosecutor’s plea offer.

“For the past three years, I have had the privilege to connect with clients, hear their stories, and help create an infrastructure where their dreams could come true,” said ACLU-NJ Director of The Clemency Project Rebecca Uwakwe. “I cannot thank Governor Murphy enough for his commitment and dedication to centering the voices of our clients by granting clemency at this historic level.”

“We’ve witnessed clemency change people’s lives for the better, proving second chances should be the standard in New Jersey,” said ACLU-NJ Legal Director Jeanne LoCicero. “Redemption is possible, and the Murphy administration’s clemency work has moved us toward a stronger, more equitable New Jersey for everyone. We hope to see New Jersey continue to focus on clemency and criminal legal reform – the time is now for long overdue justice.”

The following statements are from ACLU-NJ clients who were granted commutations today:

Mr. Acevado was offered a sentence of 10 years to plead guilty to burglary, robbery, and conspiracy but was sentenced to 30 years. He will be released immediately. “I have changed my life completely for the better and grown into a rehabilitated human being. I humbly believe clemency is appropriate based on the large amount of time I have already served, and the disparity in the sentences I received for going to trial in comparison to what was offered by the state,” said Pablo Acevedo.

Mr. Brown was sentenced to life for aggravated assault and related charges, despite being offered a 25-year plea deal. He will be released in 2030. “I am grateful and ready for this second chance to live, love my family, and appreciate the simple, meaningful parts of life. Thank you to Governor Murphy, for finding it in your heart to free me from a death sentence,” said Daniel Brown.

After declining an 18-year plea offer for aggravated manslaughter and exercising his right to a trial, Mr. Evans was sentenced to 45 years in prison. He will be released immediately. “I have changed for the better because I needed to and wanted to be better than I was. I am confident in my decision-making and look forward to proving that I am a better person for myself, my daughter, and my family,” said Zaire Evans.

Mr. Gottlieb refused a plea offer of thirty years to life imprisonment if he pled guilty to felony murder. Despite being acquitted of felony murder at trial, he was sentenced to life in prison for a robbery conviction. This sentence is commensurate to a murder conviction. He is 64 years old and has been incarcerated for almost 30 years. He will be released immediately. “Upon my release, I plan to continue my scientific studies, practice my faith, and do some good with the time I have left. Aspiring toward my goals has led me to critically think about my life and choices, and I am thankful that with my freedom, I will be able to feel some relief and peace,” said Avram Gottlieb.

At age 23, Mr. Heru was offered a 20-year plea deal, but after exercising his right to trial, was sentenced to life in prison for a murder charge and weapons possession. He will be released immediately. “I am thankful to Governor Murphy for his mercy in giving incarcerated citizens a second chance. I know the feeling of value that one has when they feel that someone believes in them, and I am grateful for the opportunity to use the education and skills I have gained to work toward our shared goal of reducing criminality,” said Heshimu Heru.

Ms. Lindsey, a survivor who attacked her abuser in self-defense, accepted a 15-year plea to aggravated manslaughter. She will be released immediately. “I am confident I have become a better person by completing programs, enrolling in school, genuinely working on myself, and supporting other women. I look forward to reuniting with my family and being a positive role model to the people I come across,” said Briann Lindsey.

Mr. Moon was offered a 12-year sentence in exchange for pleading guilty to murder. He chose to exercise his right to trial and was sentenced to 44 years in prison. He will be released immediately. “Today, I am a man who is humbled, regretful, remorseful, and now, thankful for my freedom. I fully understand that if there is to be a change in my community, it must first start with me – this is my time to do the right thing and be a positive citizen and role model for others to look up to,” said David Moon.

Originally offered a plea of 15 years, Mr. Sayers was sentenced to 70 years for armed robbery. He will be released immediately. “I have worked to better myself and my spiritual being, and I extend my sincere gratitude to Governor Murphy and his staff for this second chance. I look forward to being a productive citizen and enjoying my life with my beautiful fiancée and children, always putting God first,” said Gary Sayers.

Mr. Smith was offered a sentence of 13 years in exchange for pleading guilty to a murder charge. He chose to exercise his right to trial and was eventually sentenced to 41 years, while his codefendant received a 5-year sentence. He will be released immediately. “I have used these years away from my family and loved ones wisely, getting my mind and spirit right so I can be a better man for myself, my family, and society. Thank you to all who have supported me and my family in fighting for my freedom,” said Jama Smith.

Ms. Terrero, a survivor of domestic violence, rejected a deal of 12 years to plead guilty to conspiracy and murder charges related to the killing of her abuser. Maintaining her innocence, she went to trial where she was sentenced to 30 years. She will be released immediately. “I feel rejuvenated and thankful that I can continue forward in my life, provide for my children, and study to obtain my GED diploma. Thank you, Governor Murphy, for your compassion, grace, and the opportunity I have prayed for to return home to my beautiful family,” said Germania Terrero.

Electing to exercise his right to trial and rejecting a 20-year plea offer, Mr. Walker was sentenced to 60 years. He will be released immediately. “My holistic approach to rehabilitation allows me to say I have become a self-reformed, spiritually transformed man of God. My heart swells with gratitude and appreciation for the chance to make a meaningful contribution to my family, church, and community,” said Rashid Walker.

Ms. White is a survivor who, while trying to escape her abuser, ran over him with her car which resulted in his death. She was sentenced to 44 ½ years. She will be released from prison in 2028. “Clemency will turn the remaining years of my sentence into a remarkable opportunity to dedicate my life to the service of others, including my community. Thank you, Governor Murphy, for including us in the conversation regarding clemency, and giving me the opportunity to be an advocate for women who have been and are being abused by their partners,” said Natasha White.

Mr. Williams was sentenced to life in prison for murder and related charges yet would have received a less severe sentence under current policy today. He has served 37 ½ years of his sentence. He will be released immediately. “I am thankful for the opportunity to demonstrate my character as a man and prove the sincerity of my arduous journey toward transformation. I’ve traversed considerable distance to become who I am today, and I am grateful to receive the privilege of clemency,” said Wali Williams.