ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- Governor Martin O'Malley has granted pardons to six former convicts -- the first time he has exercised the power during his two-and-a-half years in office.
The Democratic governor had considered pardoning seven ex-convicts and started the process two weeks ago with public notification. He moved ahead with six of those cases; one remains pending.
Before the pardons issued Thursday, O'Malley had used his clemency powers only to release two prisoners suffering from AIDS.
O'Malley has said he's unlikely to use his clemency powers liberally. It's a big change from his Republican predecessor, Robert Ehrlich, who pardoned or commuted the sentences of 249 people during his single term.
Only one of the six people pardoned Thursday had served jail time, and that was seven days for petty theft.
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