Evers grants 14 commutations, including two from Northeast Wisconsin cases

(WLUK) -- Governor Tony Evers is the first Wisconsin governor since former Gov. Tommy Thompson, to grant commutations.

The governor granted 14 individuals commutations Friday, including two from Northeast Wisconsin.

A total of 24 individuals were heard at public hearings conducted by the Commutation Advisory Board on Aug. 21, 2026, and Sept. 18, 2026. The remaining 10 individuals’ applications for commutations have been denied.

In Northeast Wisconsin, Gov. Evers granted commutations to Sammy Cole, convicted in an armed robbery case in Calumet County and Amanda Weaver in a Marinette County church burglary case.

According to the state:

Sammy Cole robbed two victims at gunpoint, taking $80 in cash. He was convicted of Armed Robbery with Threat of Force and, on Dec. 21, 2001, was sentenced to 35 years of confinement and 10 years of extended supervision. Cole has now completed over two-thirds of his sentenced confinement, having spent 24 years incarcerated. During that time, he obtained an HSED and certificates in custodial services, entrepreneurship, human relations, and as a powered industrial lift operator. He also completed a Journeyman custodial services apprenticeship and a service dog training program. He has also received mental health treatment, including completing the “Thinking for a Change” cognitive behavioral program and multiple reentry-related courses, as well as maintaining sobriety and serving as a youth mentor. He has been employed throughout his incarceration, including with Badger State Industries and as a food service worker, a special needs worker assisting elderly and disabled inmates, and a service dog trainer. In recognition of his positive adjustments and rehabilitation while incarcerated, Cole’s sentence was changed to 28 years of confinement, meaning he will serve four more years of confinement before being released to 10 years of extended supervision, which remains unchanged from his initial sentencing decision. In the future, Cole hopes to move in and reconnect with family, including his sister and cousin who wrote letters of support, as well as mentor youth and start his own custodial service company for individuals with disabilities and the elderly.

Amanda Weaver and several other individuals entered churches and a restaurant, taking cash and other items of value in 2007 and 2008. She was convicted of five counts of Burglary-Building or Dwelling (PTAC). At her sentencing hearing, the prosecution and defense made a joint recommendation of five years of confinement and 12 years of extended supervision. The other individuals involved in the burglaries were sentenced to no more than three years of confinement. On Nov. 19, 2008, Weaver was sentenced to 30 years of confinement and 20 years of extended supervision. Weaver has now served 17 years of confinement. During that time, she obtained an HSED as valedictorian of her class, an associate degree in business management, and is currently pursuing an associate degree in small business entrepreneurship and certification in cosmetology. She has completed further educational coursework, established behavioral healthcare, and completed intensive therapeutic programming, including the Childhood Trauma and Abuse Program, Emotions Management Skills Program, AWARE Program—a wellness and recovery program, and the Trauma Recovery and Empowerment Model Program. She presented at a reflecting and redirecting seminar and volunteered with a community service project. Weaver has been employed in multiple capacities during her incarceration, including as a kitchen worker, maintenance worker, chaplain’s assistant, library clerk, tutor, and community service worker. In recognition of her rehabilitation while incarcerated as well as the length of the original sentence, especially based on the joint recommendation made by the prosecution and defense and the length of the sentences imposed upon her associates, Weaver’s sentence was changed to allow for her immediate release from confinement followed by two years of extended supervision.

According to Executive Order #287, the granting of commutations “promotes rehabilitation by providing a system that rewards the positive efforts of incarcerated individuals who demonstrate personal growth and a commitment to change with the possibility of a second chance to contribute to society, become productive members of their communities, make amends, and improve their lives and those of the people around them.”

This is different from a pardon, which restores certain civil rights and offers forgiveness, to individuals after they have completed their entire sentence and have been “off paper” for at least five years. Individuals are also not currently eligible for a pardon if they are a registered sex offender or have any pending criminal cases or charges in any jurisdiction.

Unlike a pardon, a commutation may reduce a sentence an individual is currently serving; however, a formal grant of commutation does not necessarily mean the incarcerated individual will be released or have their sentence shortened. Commutations may, for example, make an individual eligible for supervised release earlier pending continued positive behavior, may consider factors such as age that evidence-based research indicates affect decision-making for youth offenders, or may make someone eligible for parole so they have a future opportunity to be considered for parole by a body of commissioners with criminal justice experience.

Gov. Evers has made history during his tenure through his use of constitutional executive clemency powers, granting over 2,443 official pardons so far—more than any other governor in Wisconsin state history.

Evers grants 14 commutations, including two from Northeast Wisconsin cases

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