Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford has voted to support clemency for 30 people convicted of murder during his nearly eight-year tenure, according to a Fox News Digital review of state pardon hearings. The findings emerge as Ford seeks the Democratic nomination for governor, challenging incumbent Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo in a race projected to be among the most competitive in the nation. The review highlights Ford’s support for offenders involved in high-profile violent crimes, including a 'thrill killing' and an execution-style murder of a teenager.
What the Left Is Saying
Ford’s campaign emphasizes his record as a progressive law enforcement official who balances public safety with rehabilitation and systemic reform. His campaign website states that as Attorney General, he has 'worked with federal and local law enforcement to prosecute criminals and protect our communities.' The campaign highlights his efforts to end a decades-long rape kit backlog, prosecute human traffickers, and combat fentanyl trafficking and ghost guns. Ford has characterized specific clemency decisions, such as supporting parole eligibility for a man convicted of murder at age 15, as actions taken with 'glee,' noting the importance of giving individuals a chance to live up to the faith placed in them. In the case of Bobby Thomas, who stabbed a 17-year-old, Ford described the decision to sponsor his parole hearing as a 'no-brainer,' focusing on witness testimony regarding the inmate's character.
What the Right Is Saying
Republicans are focusing on the nature of the crimes committed by the inmates Ford supported, arguing that his votes undermine his image as a tough-on-crime candidate. Gov. Lombardo and Republican commentators point to cases like that of Anthony Amati, described by prosecutors as a 'thrill killer' who murdered a Pizza Hut worker for pleasure, and Michael Cu, who kidnapped and executed a 16-year-old to steal car rims. Deputy District Attorney Christopher Lalli argued at the time that Amati should never be eligible for parole due to the 'mere pleasure' nature of the crime. Critics note that Ford voted to support clemency for these individuals even when other board members, including Lombardo, voted against them. The opposition argues that supporting parole for those convicted of brutal, premeditated, or senseless killings suggests a disconnect from the victims and their families, some of whom pleaded with judges to keep the killers incarcerated.
What the Numbers Show
In Nevada, the power to grant pardons or commute sentences rests with the Board of Pardons Commissioners, which includes the governor, the attorney general, and the Nevada Supreme Court justices. Unlike governors in most states, the Nevada governor cannot unilaterally grant clemency. Ford’s votes are part of this collective decision-making process. A review of hearing records shows Ford supported clemency for 30 convicted murderers. Specific outcomes include: Michael Cu’s sentence was commuted to make him eligible for parole in 2035; Anthony Amati was made immediately eligible for parole following a June 2025 board decision; and Shaquille Hazelwood, convicted of a murder committed at age 15, was made eligible for parole in June 2022. It is important to note that parole eligibility does not guarantee release; inmates must still pass through the state’s parole board review process.
The Bottom Line
Ford’s clemency record is likely to become a central issue in the Nevada gubernatorial election, with Republicans contrasting his votes for violent offenders against his campaign’s public safety messaging. The distinction between parole eligibility and actual release remains a critical technical point in the debate. As the election approaches, voters will weigh Ford’s record on rehabilitation and systemic reform against concerns about the severity of crimes committed by the individuals he supported. The outcome of the race may hinge on whether Nevada voters view these clemency votes as evidence of a balanced justice approach or as a liability in terms of public safety.