TRENTON, N.J. — On Monday, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, a Democrat, granted pardons to 33 individuals and commuted the sentences of three women, one of whom received support from celebrity Kim Kardashian.
This marks Murphy’s inaugural exercise of his clemency powers since he established a special review board in June to identify cases that merit a pardon or commutation. The governor indicated that he plans to continue issuing further acts of clemency in the future.
During a heartfelt ceremony, in which at least one of the pardoned individuals was present, Murphy expressed his commitment to transforming New Jersey into a state that addresses historical injustices. The event also included the attendance of two adult children of a woman whose lengthy murder sentence was commuted.
“We are reaffirming our dedication to making New Jersey the place of second chances,” Murphy stated emphatically.
An emotional moment arose as Murphy highlighted the case of Dawn Jackson, whose situation Kardashian has publicly advocated for. Jackson’s daughter became visibly moved while the governor recounted that Jackson has earned both a GED diploma and an associate degree during her time in prison, where she has been incarcerated since 1999 following a murder conviction that resulted in a 30-year sentence.
The governor noted that in the three cases of sentence commutations, including that of Jackson, domestic violence was a significant factor at the time of the original convictions, though it was not considered in a mitigating context back then. “I believe we now live in a much more—thank God—survivor-centric society,” he remarked.
Loreale Wilson, Jackson’s daughter, expressed her feelings about the clemency decision, sharing how it inspired her sense of resilience. “Words cannot encompass what this means to me; I feel completely speechless, overwhelmed with joy, and I cannot wait to see what God holds for us,” she stated.
Kardashian, who has leveraged her fame to advocate for criminal justice reform, remarked in a statement that Murphy chose “redemption over condemnation.” She emphasized the importance of Jackson’s new opportunity, stating, “Dawn’s second chance and impending freedom reveal the possibilities that emerge when we support survivors, prioritize safety, and commit to true justice.”
Abdur Azim, who was also granted a pardon, stood next to Murphy with a smile as the governor officially signed his pardon. Azim expressed that receiving the pardon felt akin to having “a knife pulled from my heart.” His past convictions included shoplifting, drug possession, and robbery, stretching back to 1986. Currently, he works within the Department of Corrections, as noted by the governor.
Along with Azim, Murphy pardoned 32 additional individuals who had a variety of past convictions, including shoplifting, making threats, and drug possession. Murphy mentioned that the clemency board concluded that all individuals had “accepted responsibility for their actions” and demonstrated positive contributions to their communities.
As Governor Murphy’s second term approaches its conclusion in January 2026, he is unable to pursue a third term due to term limits, alongside the upcoming gubernatorial election next year.