The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles withdrew its clemency recommendation for George Floyd.  

According to CNN, Governor Greg Abbott’s office published a news release with more details. “The Board of Pardons and Paroles has withdrawn 25 clemency recommendations that contained procedural errors and lack of compliance with Board rules,” Renae Eze, Abbott’s press secretary, said.  

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Handing out pardons for minor offenses is a Christmas tradition for Abbott. In 2020, the Republican governor pardoned seven people ahead of Christmas for various crimes, including prostitution, drug possession, driving while intoxicated, assault, credit card abuse, burglary and criminal mischief.  

“Among the recommendations withdrawn was one concerning George Floyd. The Board will review and resolve procedural errors and issues related to any pending applications in compliance with their rules. As a result of the Board’s withdrawal of the recommendation concerning George Floyd, Governor Abbott did not have the opportunity to consider it. Governor Abbott will review all recommendations that the Board submits for consideration,” Eze said.  

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Many were waiting to see if he would do the same in 2021 and offer a posthumous pardon to Floyd. In October, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles recommended the posthumous pardon relating to a 2004 drug conviction.  

The Harris County Public Defender’s Office noted that Floyd’s arrest involved an ex-officer, Gerald Goines, who “manufactured the existence of confidential informants to bolster his cases against innocent defendants.” Goines was involved in a deadly police raid that resulted in the deaths of a husband and wife. According to The Guardian prosecutors began investigating his practices and later dismissed more than 160 drug convictions tied to him.    

Floyd was murdered by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in May 2020. The video of Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck gained national attention and sparked a new call for police reform. The former officer was convicted and sentenced to 22 1/2 years in prison earlier this year. On Dec. 15, 2021, Chauvin pleaded guilty to violating Floyd’s civil rights in federal court.  

RELATED: Derek Chauvin Sentenced to Over 20 Year for Murder of George Floyd   

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