Institute for Actual Innocence Clinic Client Receives Presidential Commutation

The Institute for Actual Innocence Clinic at Richmond Law is pleased to announce that President Joe Biden has commuted the federal sentence of client Leshay Rhoton. Rhoton is one of only 16 individuals who received presidential clemency actions for non-violent drug offenses announced by the White House on April 24.

"We hold Leshay very dear in our hearts," said Mary Kelly Tate, director of the clinic and professor of law. "She is a young woman with tremendous strength and potential."

Clinic students Liddy Gallagher, Megan Haugh, Sarah Larson, Bailey Ellicott, and Claudia Leonor worked under the direction of Tate to represent Rhoton, who was sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment for possession of cocaine. Her sentence was commuted to 12.5 years. Law Clinic Administrative Coordinator Anne Wroniewicz also played a significant role in managing this case.

Read the full White House statement: Statement from President Joe Biden on Clemency Actions (White House)