Governor Grants Clemency to Five Inmates

Governor Albert Bryan Jr. commuted the sentences of three former inmates and pardoned two on Friday, May 31.

Gov. Bryan commuted the life sentences of Alexander Viust, 51, and Denise L. Donovan, 64, to time served.

Viust had been serving a sentence of life in prison plus 15 years for first-degree murder and first-degree assault in Virginia where, for 28 years, he took advantage of rehabilitation programs and became a tutor and translator.

Donovan was convicted of first-degree murder and was serving a sentence of life in prison without parole. While jailed at the John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility on St. Croix since 2003, Donovan shared her domestic violence story and had been involved with bible studies and mentoring fellow inmates.