[Cincinnati.com] A Cincinnati man serving a life sentence for drug offenses was one of 72 commutations granted by President Barack ObamaIt’s very rare that I come to an event where I’m like the fifth- or sixth-most interesting person....
on Friday.
Donald L. Graham, 38, was serving a life sentence with 10 years' supervised release for distribution and intent to distribute crack cocaine and two counts of aiding and abetting. Graham was one of 17 inmates serving a life sentence commuted by Obama.
With the commutation, Graham's sentence is now set to expire on March 4, 2017, with all terms of a supervised release and other related conditions still intact.
| Obama has now granted 170 commutations in the past eight days — the largest in any single year in history — bringing his total to 944. |
Over the years after his conviction, Graham tried repeatedly to appeal his sentence or have it reduced, unsuccessfully, according to court documents.
Commutations come from the president's constitutional power to "grant pardons and reprieves for offenses against the United States." They differ from a pardon, however, because it leaves intact the other consequences stemming from a conviction.
According to USA TODAY, Obama has now granted 170 commutations in the past eight days -- the largest in any single year in history -- bringing his total to 944.