Nevada Attorney General Supported Clemency for 30 Murderers
Aaron Ford has cast votes to grant parole eligibility to multiple individuals convicted of murder during his tenure.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Criminal Justice
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Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford has supported clemency for 30 people convicted of murder while serving on the state's Board of Pardons Commissioners. The board, which includes the governor, attorney general, and state supreme court justices, holds final authority over pardons and sentence commutations.
Why it matters
The votes highlight the attorney general's role in the state's clemency process as he concurrently campaigns for Governor of Nevada. His position on these cases draws attention to how the board manages parole eligibility for individuals convicted of violent crimes.
The Nevada Board of Pardons Commissioners maintains authority over all sentence commutations and parole eligibility in the state. While the board has approved various requests, it has also rejected others, including a clemency application for Arlander Givens.
The players
Aaron Ford
He is the current Attorney General of Nevada and is campaigning for the office of Governor of Nevada.
Nevada Board of Pardons Commissioners
This body is composed of the governor, attorney general, and state supreme court justices and holds final power over state clemency.
Anthony Amati
He was convicted of murdering a 22-year-old Pizza Hut worker and was granted parole eligibility in 2025.
Bobby Thomas
He was convicted of stabbing a 17-year-old to death and was granted parole eligibility in 2025.
Shaquille Hazelwood
He was convicted of killing a person during an armed robbery at age 15 and was granted parole eligibility in 2022.
The details
Ford has voted in favor of parole eligibility for several high-profile offenders, including Anthony Amati, Bobby Thomas, and Shaquille Hazelwood. The cases involved varied circumstances, such as Hazelwood, who was 15 at the time of his crime, and other victims like the 22-year-old Pizza Hut worker killed by Amati.
Timeline
March 2000 saw the sentencing of Michael Cu for kidnapping and murder.
June 2022 marked the vote to grant parole eligibility to Shaquille Hazelwood.
June 2025 marked the vote to grant parole eligibility to Anthony Amati.
September 2025 marked the vote to grant parole eligibility to Bobby Thomas.
2035 is the year Michael Cu becomes eligible for parole.
Legal Context
The decisions by the board align with the state's constitutional framework that vests commutation authority in a panel of high-ranking officials. This process remains a point of scrutiny as Nevada's criminal justice policies continue to emphasize discretion in sentencing reform.
The board's decisions regarding parole eligibility for those convicted of violent crimes directly influence local public safety discussions and victim advocacy concerns. Residents are monitoring how these board votes might reflect broader changes in the state's approach to criminal sentencing.
The takeaway
The composition of the Board of Pardons Commissioners makes every vote a significant intersection of law and politics for state residents. These decisions emphasize how executive branch members wield influence over long-term incarceration outcomes in the state.
Further reading
For more information on state policies, visit the Criminal Justice section.
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