According to “procedural errors,” George Floyd has been denied a posthumous pardon pertaining to a drug charge in Houston, where he was arrested in 2004. He was alleged to have sold ten dollars worth of cocaine to undercover officer, Gerald Goines. Floyd pleaded guilty to the charge, and the narcotics officer who arrested him was later accused of falsifying statements and evidence in other cases.
In a statement dated Thursday, the Texas governor’s office released a statement concerning the board’s recommendations.
Office of the Governor Press Secretary Renae Eze also issued a statement regarding the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles decision to withdraw and reconsider 25 clemency recommendations due to procedural errors and lack of compliance with Board rules.
"The Board of Pardons and Paroles has withdrawn 25 clemency recommendations that contained procedural errors and lack of compliance with Board rules," said Ranae Eze. "Among the recommendations withdrawn was one concerning George Floyd. The Board will review and resolve procedural errors and issues related to any pending applications in compliance with their rules. As a result of the Board's withdrawal of the recommendation concerning George Floyd, Governor Abbott did not have the opportunity to consider it. Governor Abbott will review all recommendations that the Board submits for consideration."
Allison Mathis, who is the assistant public defender for the Harris County Public Defender’s Office in Texas, put in an application for a pardon for George Floyd.
“The Board has not provided me with any information about what was wrong with my application, which was vetted by their compliance review prior to being voted on several months ago,” she said. “And I’ve heard nothing from the governor’s office.
“I am extremely suspicious that this is an act of political theatre to deny the truth about what happened to Mr. Floyd in the state of Texas until it is more convenient for Mr. Abbott personally.”
“”It really strains credibility for them to say now that it’s out of compliance, after the Board has already voted on it,” she said.
When the Board had initially requested that Floyd be recommended for pardon, Allison Mathis said she was pleased with the Board’s decision.
“A man was set up by a corrupt police officer intent on securing arrests rather than pursing justice. No matter what your political affiliation is, no matter who that man was in his life or in his death, that is not something we should stand for in the United States or in Texas.”
“A pardon wouldn’t erase the memory, personal or institutional, of this thing that happened to him, or the things that would happen to him later. It would show that the state of Texas is interested in fundamental fairness, in admitting it’s mistakes, and in working to increase the accountability for police officers who break our trust and their oaths, and harm people rather than serve them.”
Sources: NY Times, Dallas Morning News, Texas.gov.
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