Jefferson City, MO (AP) Outgoing Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens has granted five pardons and commuted four criminal sentences on his final day in office before his planned resignation.
Some of the people pardoned or commuted Friday were woman Greitens says were victims of rape or abuse. Pardons restore rights but don’t expunge criminal records.
Those pardoned include Stacey Lannert. Greitens in a statement said Lannert served 18 years in prison for killing her father, who Greitens said raped her and her sister. Former Gov. Matt Blunt commuted her sentence in 2009.
Greitens also commuted the sentences to time served for two men he says were wrongly convicted of murder: Jessie McKim and Rodney Lincoln. Another Greitens’ commutation will free Alvis Williams, who was sentenced for 80 years behind bars for stealing electronics.
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3:45 p.m.
A judge has granted a reprieve from an order requiring groups supporting Gov. Eric Greitens to turn over records to the Missouri House.
An attorney for Greitens’ campaign committee and a pro-Greitens nonprofit called A New Missouri had faced a Friday deadline from the judge to comply with subpoenas for documents.
But Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem granted the lawyer’s request to suspend the order until he can hold a hearing on whether to reverse it.
Attorney Catherine Hanaway argued that the House panel created to investigate the governor no longer has authority to demand the documents because Greitens has said he will resign Friday.
A hearing isn’t expected before next week.
The subpoenas seek records related to any coordination between Greitens, his campaign committee and the nonprofit.
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3:30 p.m.
Missouri’s incoming first lady says her new role hasn’t fully sunk in yet.
Teresa Parson will assume the honorary title when her husband, Lt. Gov. Mike Parson, takes the oath of office Friday as governor.
Parson is replacing Gov. Eric Greitens, who has said he will resign at 5 p.m. Friday.
Teresa Parson says she needs more time to plan what her focus will be in the new administration. But she says her current role with an organization that helps high school students at risk of dropping out would continue to be important.
Teresa Parson is a bank loan officer. The Parsons have two children and five grandchildren and currently live on a farm near Bolivar. Teresa Parson said she plans to move with her husband to Jefferson City.
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