• Filed under , Criminal Defense

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Today Governor Hochul is commuting the sentence of our firm’s pro bono client Jermaine Swaby. Jermaine has served 22 1/2 years in prison for his 2002 Kings County murder conviction. He will now be eligible for release to parole supervision this November, two years earlier than he would have been eligible under his original sentence of 25 years to life. 

The Governor’s decision reflects the remarkable and tangible transformation Jermaine, who was 19 at the time of the crime, has achieved during his many years in prison. During his incarceration at Green Haven Correctional Facility, Jermaine demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to education, leadership, and service to others.

We commend Governor Hochul and her office for their extraordinarily thorough review of Jermaine’s application and for their compassion. 

The clemency application was prepared by the firm’s talented paralegal, Thelo Coleman, who obtained 30 supporting letters, including from the family of the victim, and prepared a beautifully written, comprehensive memorandum making a compelling case for clemency.