Tennessee Governor Bill Lee granted executive clemency to 22 Tennesseans on Friday, and also expedited probation for a woman who is currently pursuing a master’s degree in theology while incarcerated for murder.
In his third round of clemency since taking office, Lee said in a Friday appearance before local media he “decided to grant 23 individuals executive clemency,” and thanked the Tennessee Board of Parole “for their thoughtful recommendations throughout this process.”
Lee granted two types of executive clemency, either a pardon, which is an official statement of forgiveness for individuals who are no longer incarcerated, or a commutation to parole eligibility, which can expedite when a prisoner can be released, on parole, without a statement of forgiveness.
The one individual whom Lee granted expedited probation rather than a pardon is Michelle Lockwood-Tipton, who has served 21 years. ABC 24 reported that Lockwood-Tipton was convicted of first-degree murder after her then-boyfriend killed Pamela Hale in eastern Tennessee.
“It was determined that she was shocked by the killing and unaware that [it] was going to happen,” said Lee, according to the outlet. Lee said Lockwood-Tipton was “exceptional” during her time in prison, according to The Associated Press.
Knox County entrepreneur Tylor Trotter was among those whom Lee pardoned. WATE explained Trotter was sentenced to six years in 2013 for robbing a Knoxville drug store, and the outlet reported he has since opened a barber shop and partnered with a church in south Knoxville.
Catrina Cabe of Chattanooga, who News Channel 9 reported is a former sex trafficking victim and participant, also received a pardon from Lee. Previously, Cabe was profiled by the outlet, and revealed she converted to Christianity while incarcerated and now operates a non-profit offering no-strings-attached accommodations for women who struggle with addiction.
Lee’s other 2023 pardons include Ann Marie Byrd of Davidson County and Williamson County; DeAndre Brown of Shelby County; Kevin Campbell of Hamilton County; Chris Ann Hobson of Fayette County; Joseph Claggett of Davidson County; Eddie Criswell of Madison County; Cheryl Douglas of Rutherford County; Demetria Garner of Davidson County; Edward Guthrie of Bradley County; Jimmy Harris of Overton and Putnam counties; Joshua Owens of Bradley County; Kamiko Michelle Paris of Hamilton County; Christopher Park of Davidson Sumner and Wilson counties; Robert Scales of Davidson County; Rhonda Shelton of Davidson County; Donnell Spraggins of Shelby County; Brendan Sullivan of Blount County; Amanda Vaughn of Perry County; Melissa Whitehead-Gregory of Tipton County; and Tara Woods of Hamilton County.
Lee granted executive clemency to a total of 46 individuals in 2022, including 16 who were granted pardons and 30 who had their parole ended early or were granted early parole. Of the individuals who received clemency in 2022, just two were incarcerated at the time.
Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Georgia Star News, The Virginia Star, and the Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to pappert.tom@proton.me.
