Christmas came early for country singer Jelly Roll. He received a full pardon for his drug and robbery crimes. Keep reading for all the details on the holiday miracle.
Sheriff, Live Nation CEO & More Support Jelly Roll’s Pardon Request
Jelly Roll recently revealed on Joe Rogan’s podcast that he petitioned Tennessee Governor Bill Lee for a pardon. The country singer, whose real name is Jason DeFord, spent his younger years in and out of prison. His most serious charge was aggravated robbery. In another incident, he faced decades in prison on drug charges.
But since his release from prison some years ago, he’s completely changed his life. He’s become a successful musician, a family man, and an outspoken supporter of prison reform. Jelly Roll received a lot of support in his quest for a pardon.
According to several news reports, the Sheriff from one of the Nashville, Tennessee, jails Jelly Roll was in put his full support behind the singer’s pardon request. Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall wrote a letter on Jelly Roll’s behalf.
“I think he has a chance and is in the process of rehabilitating a generation, and that’s not just words. I’m talking about what I see we need in our country, is people who accept responsibility, accept the fact that they make mistakes and accept the fact that they need help,” the Sheriff told the media about Jelly Roll.
Live Nation CEO and President Michael Rapino also wrote a letter in support of Jelly Roll’s pardon application. He reportedly cited the singer’s charitable work and donations from his performances to organizations for at-risk youth.
Jelly Roll Granted Full Pardon For Crimes
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee issued 33 pardons on Thursday, December 18. Jelly Roll was among the convicted felons whose criminal records were forgiven. The singer told Joe Rogan that a pardon doesn’t wipe the slate entirely clean, though. He is still banned from owning guns.
Jelly Roll met the Governor for the first time on Thursday at the Tennessee Governor’s mansion. Bill Lee said he was swayed to pardon Jelly Roll after seeing how the singer turned his life around.
“His story is remarkable, and it’s a redemptive, powerful story, which is what you look for and what you hope for,” the Governor told the press.
Fans Divided Over News
Jelly Roll wanted the pardon partly for redemption, but also to make his life easier. Many countries have restrictions that ban convicted felons from entering. The “I Need a Favor” singer was able to tour Europe and Australia for the first time this summer but he had to fill out a lot of paperwork to do so. With the pardon, he is free to go anywhere in the world without much effort.
Jelly Roll’s pardon surprisingly received mixed reactions on social media. Several people questioned whether his wealth and fame played a role in the pardon.
- “There are many people in this country and the state of Tennessee that have non-violent felonies. Unless I was to become internationally famous overnight the chance of having that burden removed is zero.”
- “That’s how pardons were meant to be used.”
- “Hundreds probably thousands could use this in his region, not just the rich and famous ones who don’t need jobs that say no because of the record.”
- “Jelly roll should be speaking out about this, so that everyone with nonviolent records get a pardon.”
- “He’s worked so hard for this!”
- “Who pardons the poor?”
Jelly Roll is a big believer in redemption. Tell us in the comments if you think the pardon was fair.
Jennifer Havener grew up in a small town in Upstate New York. She earned her B.A in Writing & Literature from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. She always knew watching reality TV shows and soap operas, particularly ‘Days of Our Lives’, would come in handy someday. When she’s not writing, she’s playing with her dogs, Lola and Ruger
