Gov. Baker should advance commutation petition for Koonce
Councilors Paul DePalo and Terry Kennedy
Leominster Champion, May 12, 2021
We believe in the goal of rehabilitation in our criminal system, and we support the governor’s clemency guidelines when they frame commutation as a “strong motivation for confined persons to utilize available resources for self-development and self-improvement and as an incentive for them to become law-abiding citizens and return to society.” A commutation is essentially a celebration of the system’s success.
As elected members of the eight-member Governor’s Council, one of our roles is to provide advice and consent on pardons and commutations put forth by the governor. That’s why we’ve closely watched the commutation process for Thomas Koonce, whom the Parole Board recently recommended for commutation.
Koonce was the board’s first clemency hearing in over six years. The board’s recommendation now awaits the governor’s action: Either deny or send to the Governor’s Council for advice and consent.
We recently visited Koonce and his attorney at MCI Norfolk. At 19, Koonce fired a shot into a crowd while fleeing a violent mob, killing a man. Koonce, an honorably discharged Marine, has served 29 years under a life-without-parole conviction for first degree murder. Koonce presents a tale of redemption: While incarcerated, he has spent decades coordinating restorative justice programs for at- risk youth. At Koonce’s Parole Board hearing, even the District Attorney’s office that prosecuted Koonce supported his commutation.
We believe in the goal of rehabilitation in our criminal system, and we support the governor’s clemency guidelines when they frame commutation as a “strong motivation for confined persons to utilize available resources for self-development and self-improvement and as an incentive for them to become law-abiding citizens and return to society.” A commutation is essentially a celebration of the system’s success.
The Parole Board issued its recommendation on Jan. 14, 2021. We encourage the governor to timely advance Koonce’s petition to the Governor’s Council for advice and consent.
Paul DePalo is Governor’s Councillor for District 7, which includes Leominster. Terrence Kennedy is Governor’s Councilor for District 6, which includes sections of Boston and surrounding communities.