For Immediate Release                                                               Contact: Chris Kellogg or Bob McDonald
November 25, 2003                                                                                 (502) 564-2611
 

Statement from Governor Patton
 

Governor Paul Patton announced today that he doesn't intend to grant any additional pardons during the remainder of his term other than those he's issued to date.  His office has received about 1,250 pardon applications as of Tuesday.  

 Patton said that the number of applications received has made establishing criteria that would assure him of uniformity and justice increasingly difficult.  He added that an impression had developed that he would issue a multitude of pardons.  He also said that there was never an intention to pardon people who are serving time in prison and while he reserves the right to exercise the power of his office as it relates to additional requests that may be received, he doesn't anticipate any additions to be made between now and December 8 when he leaves office.  

            "I want to put the rumors to rest," he said in a statement made in the Capitol rotunda following his remarks at a Mothers Against Drunk Drivers announcement.  "It has become increasingly clear that there is no way to utilize this authority and responsibility on a broad scale and promote justice in Kentucky." 

            "Yes, there are injustices in our just system," Patton said, "but the safeguards are broad and strong and our justice system works for victims as well as those who violate the law."  

            Patton repeated that he intends to commute the death sentence of Kevin Stanford who was convicted of murder.  Because Stanford committed the crime when he was 17 a minor, Patton has said he would reduce his sentence to life in prison without parole. 

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