Murphy’s total clemency count reached 455, surpassing the combined total of every New Jersey governor from the last 30 years
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, In the final hours of his administration, outgoing New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy delivered a controversial parting gift. Just moments before Mikie Sherrill’s inauguration on January 20, 2026, Murphy signed off on 148 clemency grants, cementing his legacy as a champion of criminal justice reform—or, as critics argue, a provider of last-minute political favors.
With 97 full pardons and 51 commutations, Murphy’s total clemency count reached 455, surpassing the combined total of every New Jersey governor from the last 30 years.
The Headline Grabbers: Political Ties & Synagogue Clashes
While the Governor’s office emphasized “accountability and growth,” several high-profile names on the list have ignited a firestorm of debate over the timing and nature of executive mercy.
1. The Pre-Verdict Pardon of Harris Jacobs
In perhaps the most explosive move, Murphy pardoned 28-year-old Harris Jacobs at 8:30 a.m. on his final day.3 Jacobs, the son of a major Democratic fundraiser, was in the midst of a retrial for a 2022 fatal hit-and-run in Atlantic City.4
The Result: The pardon effectively rendered the trial moot, sparing Jacobs a mandatory 5–10 year prison sentence.
The Twist: The pardon was issued before the jury returned with a guilty verdict later that same day.
2. Dr. Moshe Glick: The West Orange Synagogue Case
Dr. Moshe Glick, a physician charged in 2024 following a violent clash during a protest outside a West Orange synagogue, also received a full pardon. Glick was accused of aggravated assault after allegedly striking a protester with a flashlight.7
- The Context: The case had become a national lightning rod for debates over religious freedom and protest rights.
- The Result: By clearing Glick’s record before a conviction stuck, Murphy allowed the doctor to declare the charges “baseless.”
3. Former Assemblyman Al Coutinho
The list also included Al Coutinho, a former Democratic lawmaker who pleaded guilty in 2013 to stealing from his own family’s charitable foundation.8
A Triumph for Rehabilitation?
Beyond the political lightning rods, the final wave of clemency included dozens of individuals who advocates say were long overdue for a second chance.
- Commutations for Violent Offenses: Several individuals serving life sentences for murder and manslaughter from the early 1980s were granted release.
- Domestic Violence Survivors: Murphy prioritized “expedited review” for survivors of domestic violence whose offenses were directly tied to their victimization.10
- Long-Term Reform: Many pardons were for non-violent drug offenses dating back 20 to 30 years, helping residents remove barriers to housing and employment.11
“Each pardon and commutation represents a story of accountability, growth, and redemption,” Murphy stated, insisting the decisions were based on the recommendations of his Clemency Advisory Board.
Final Count: A Legacy of “Mercy”
| Action Type | Final Round (Jan 20) | Tenure Total |
| Full Pardons | 97 | — |
| Commutations | 51 | — |
| Total Actions | 148 | 455 |
The Verdict: Reform or Cronyism?
As Phil Murphy departs for a planned trip overseas, New Jersey remains divided. To the ACLU-NJ, these acts “restored dignity and hope.” To political rivals, the Jacobs and Glick pardons represent a “favor factory” that bypassed the traditional judicial process.
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Payback to the constituents with all those mail in ballots