LANSING, Mich., Dec. 23, 2020 — Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced Tuesday that she has granted requests for clemency to Michael Thompson, Lawrence Cadroy, Lorenzo Garrett and Larry McGhee. These four men were serving lengthy prison terms for nonviolent crimes tied to drugs. State Rep. Sherry Gay-Dagnogo (D-Detroit) released the following statement in response:

 “I have spent a great deal of my time during my final term in the Legislature working toward legislative and structural criminal justice reforms so people who have made mistakes in the past have the opportunity for a second chance at life. It is critical not only for them but for their families, communities and our state as a whole. While we still have a long way to go, I’m appreciative of Governor Whitmer taking steps in the right direction. I am hopeful that this is the beginning of a collaborative effort with my legislative colleagues and criminal justice reform allies which have made criminal justice reform a priority.”