Executive clemency
Texas native with lengthy theft sentence earns commutation endorsement from parole board
SIOUX FALLS — A Texas native who bilked his business partners out of more than $169,000 in 2005 could walk free if Gov. Kristi Noem signs off on a commutation recommended Thursday by the Board of Pardons and Paroles. Should the governor endorse the board’s 5-2 recommendation for clemency, 60-year-old Rex Gard would be able […]
New records release puts pardons from Gov. Noem at 228
The South Dakota Secretary of State’s Office has released 28 additional pardons signed by Gov. Kristi Noem since 2019. Earlier this year, the office released 200 of Noem’s pardons in response to a records request from South Dakota Searchlight. It’s unknown why the additional pardons were not in the first batch. Deputy Secretary of State […]
Parolee cited for exhibition driving after Noem reduces vehicular homicide sentence
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story about commutations is part of a special report on executive clemency. An additional story explores pardons, and a commentary outlines difficulties encountered in obtaining pardon records. — A man who committed vehicular homicide in the 1990s pleaded guilty to exhibition driving last summer, six months after a state board granted him […]
Woman pleads guilty to another crime 11 days after sentence reduction by Noem
A woman released from prison less than two weeks ago by Gov. Kristi Noem has pleaded guilty to another criminal charge that was pending while the woman was in prison. Danielle Blakney, 30, of Spearfish, pleaded guilty Wednesday in Lawrence County court to one count of simple assault. As part of a plea agreement, the […]