Louisiana Governor Pardons 44 Including Caddo Parish Murderers

SHREVEPORT, LA – As Governor John Bel Edwards prepares to leave office, he has gotten out his pen to sign some very important pieces of business. The Governor has signed off on pardons or commutations of sentences for dozens of criminals.

KEEL News requested a list of the inmates granted a pardon or commutation of sentence by Edwards during his final 3 months in office. This list goes through December 13. We don’t know yet if the Governor will sign off on any more just yet. But we will be checking.

The list of criminals granted pardons or commutations of sentences includes 34 convicted killers. Several others now on the path to freedom include several habitual offenders.

About a dozen of these cases are from Orleans or Jefferson Parish. 7 of the inmates were convicted of crimes in the Baton Rouge area. There are many others from Monroe, Lake Charles and other parts of the state.

What Inmates from Caddo and Bossier Got Help From Governor?

3 criminals convicted in Caddo Parish will soon be able to be released from jail. The governor has agreed to pardon or commute the sentences of these men:

John Vincent Spano

He was convicted of second degree battery for striking his attorney in court and rendering him unconscious. Spano was tried as a fourth felony habitual offender and sentenced to life in prison for the attack on attorney Rickey Swift. A rape charge he was also facing was dismissed at the time of this incident.

Carl Carnuious Ruffins

Ruffins was convicted of second degree murder for the 1998 killing murder of Donald “DJ” Reed on Orla Street in Shreveport.

Ricky Washington

Washington was convicted of first degree murder for the 1979 killing of Grady Haynes who was the owner of the YQ Grocery in the MLK neighborhood in Shreveport. He was shot to death while working behind the counter of his store.

Here's the Full List of Inmates Getting a Pardon or Commutation Since October 1: