Governor Baker Recommends Pardons for 4 ‘Worthy Candidates'

Gov. Charlie Baker on Wednesday recommended pardons for four men convicted decades ago of crimes ranging from property destruction to assault and battery, pointing to their subsequent rehabilitation and calling them "worthy candidates" to wipe the slate clean.

The governor moved to pardon Kenneth Dunn, who was convicted in 1971 of larceny from a building; Steven Joanis, convicted in 1990 of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon and armed assault in a dwelling; Michael Picanso, convicted in 1986 of trespass, larceny, and wanton destruction of property; and Stephen Polignone, convicted in 1980 of larceny and altering a motor vehicle license/registration.

"All of these individuals have shown a commitment to their communities and rehabilitation since their convictions," Baker wrote in a statement. "However, the charges are related to decades-old convictions that continue to have an impact on their lives."

These are the first pardons Baker has sought during his nearly eight years in the corner office, and they come as he winds down his final term. Baker is not seeking reelection next month.

"The Governor views the granting of a pardon as an extraordinary remedy, which has the effect of treating the petitioner as if the offense had never been committed," according to clemency guidelines released by the Baker administration in 2020.

Clemency petitions are first vetted by the Parole Board before a recommendation is made to the governor, whose endorsement of the petition forwards it to the Governor's Council for final review. Applicants "must have demonstrated 'good citizenship,' as well as a specific, verified, and compelling need for a pardon," according to the board.

The administration's guidelines also specify that the review process for pardons is not a referendum on the original trial or any subsequent appeals nor on "the guilt of the petitioner."

"It is mainly intended to remove the barriers that are sometimes associated with a criminal record, thereby facilitating the reintegration of the petitioner into his or her community," the guidelines say.

Wednesday's announcement came in the midst of a Governor's Council hearing on whether to grant a judgeship to current Parole Board Chairwoman Gloriann Moroney, who told councilors she was faced with a backlog of clemency petitions when she took the chairship in 2019.

Moroney said the board reviewed more than 300 petitions to decide which ones merited a hearing. That also included petitions for sentence commutations, two of which were recommended to Baker, earned the governor's support and were ultimately approved by the council earlier this year.

Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, who announced the pardons while chairing a Governor's Council assembly, told councilors they could decide how they wanted to facilitate public hearings on the four cases.

Councilor Eileen Duff suggested the council follow the same procedure from eight years ago, when it last handled pardon requests from outgoing Gov. Deval Patrick.

Under that model, each hearing would be under the direction of the councilor in whose district the pardon applicant resides. Councilor Terry Kennedy volunteered "the dean" -- the longest-serving councilor, Christopher Iannella Jr. -- to handle the process for one of the applicants who lives in New Hampshire.