Congressman Bob Turner's (R-NY) Letter to Obama: Free Pollard

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February 17, 2012

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20500

Re: Clemency for Jonathan Pollard

Dear Mr. President,

I am writing today to join the long list of Members of Congress, former Cabinet members, diplomats, religious leaders and other distinguished Americans urging you to grant clemency to Jonathan Pollard and commute his sentence to time served.

I will not minimize the severity of Jonathan Pollard's crime nor his guilt, nor will I cast any aspersions upon the process by which he was convicted and sentenced. While others have raised concerns regarding these issues, a grant of clemency does not concern such matters.

Jonathan Pollard has served 26 years in federal prison for his crime, and questions exist regarding the disparity between the length of his sentence and those convicted of similar crimes. He has repeatedly expressed remorse for his actions, and by all accounts has served as a model prisoner.

I believe the length of Jonathan Pollard's incarceration has satisfied the demands of justice and has been sufficient to deter those who might otherwise be tempted to engage in such criminal acts. The commutation of sentence to time served would, therefore, be an appropriate exercise of compassion and executive discretion.

In light of the above, I ask that you grant clemency to Jonathan Pollard. Thank you for your kind consideration.

Respectfully yours,

Robert L. Turner
Member of Congress


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