TOPEKA — Outgoing Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer has granted two pardons and commuted the sentence of an Emporia war veteran.
WIBW reports Colyer on Friday reduced the sentence of Regina Carter to about 3.5 years. She was sentenced in 2016 to eight years in prison for drug possession with intent to deliver. Colyer noted Carter’s original sentence was longer than many others given to first-time offenders. He also noted Carter suffered PTSD after serving in Iraq and received an honorable discharge from the Army.
Colyer also granted pardons to Chris Rickerson and Wandalen Thomas for felony drug possession convictions. Rickerson now runs Elite Staffing Solutions in Wichita. Thomas, who lives in Fountain, Colorado, runs a barbershop for military members and their families.
The governor denied pardon requests of 21 other applicants.
