PARDONS

 

 

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

 

 

            WHEREAS, on May 1, 1997 a Special Grand Jury was impaneled and sworn by Franklin Circuit Judge William L. Graham to investigate the 1995 gubernatorial election; and

 

            WHEREAS, on September 24, 1998 the Special Grand Jury presented in Franklin Circuit Court indictment number 98-CR 136-001 which charged Andrew Jackson Martin, Jr., Daniel P. Ross, Lon Edward Fields, Sr. and Robert Marion Winstead with violations of Kentucky’s election laws; and

 

            WHEREAS, Martin, Ross, Fields and Winstead each have made written application to the Governor for pardon of the charges which have been made against them and said applications have been reviewed and the reasons in support of a pardon for each individual have been considered; and

 

            WHEREAS, Martin, Ross, Fields and Winstead each have written the Governor a personal letter in which they have indicated they did not knowingly violate any Kentucky election law relative to the 1995 gubernatorial election; and

 

            WHEREAS, a pardon can serve to correct injustices particularly in this instance where substantial controversy remains as to the constitutionality of Kentucky election laws as evidenced by conflicting judicial opinions and the modification and suspension of portions of these laws by the Kentucky General Assembly; and

 

            WHEREAS, these defendants for these reasons should not continue to be exposed to further degradation, punishment and the prospect of a lengthy jury trial at substantial cost to them and Kentucky’s taxpayers:

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, and by virtue of the authority vested in me by Section 77 and related provisions in the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, I, PAUL E. PATTON, Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, do hereby grant to Andrew Jackson Martin, Jr., Daniel P. Ross, Lon Edward Fields, Sr. and Robert Marion Winstead a full, complete and unconditional pardon for all offenses against the Commonwealth of Kentucky which each, or any of them, collectively or individually, have committed or may have committed or taken part in pertaining to the 1995 primary or general election or any investigation or proceeding relating thereto, including but not limited to the period from November 10, 1994 through September 24, 1998.

 

 

Done at the Capitol, in the City of Frankfort, this 18th day of June, in the year of our Lord Two Thousand and Three and in the year of the Commonwealth the Two Hundred and Twelfth.

 

 

 

 

                                                            ______________________________________

                                                            PAUL E. PATTON, Governor

                                                            Commonwealth of Kentucky

 

 

 

 

_____________________________

JOHN Y. BROWN III

Secretary of State