Jelly Roll Officially Pardoned for Past Crimes
Jelly Roll has been granted clemency for crimes he committed over two decades ago.
The “Son of a Sinner” singer (born Jason DeFord) was one of the 33 people Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee pardoned on Dec. 18, confirmed MS NOW.
“After thoroughly reviewing the merits of each case, I have decided to grant 33 individuals executive clemency,” Lee said in a statement. “Each individual case is unique and warranted consideration, and I thank the Board of Parole members for their thoughtful recommendations throughout this process.”
In particularly, the governor felt Jelly Roll, 41, is a “man who should get a pardon.”
“Jelly Roll’s story was remarkable, redemptive and powerful,” he told reporters in a conference call, per the Nashville Tennessean, “and that it was evident he should get a pardon.”
By Jelly Roll’s own account, he went to jail 40 times for various drug-related offenses throughout his teenage years and early 20s. His most serious charge was aggravated robbery, for which he served over a year in prison and seven years of probation.
