Cleary Gottlieb and The Legal Aid Society successfully petitioned for clemency on behalf of pro bono client Anthony Desmae, who was one of only seven people granted a sentence commutation by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on December 30, 2016.
In granting the petition, Governor Cuomo observed that Mr. Desmae has “demonstrated rehabilitation and made positive strides” in his life since his conviction.
Mr. Desmae was sentenced to 10 years in prison following his conviction of Robbery in the Second Degree in 2010. Since then, he has furthered his education, including by earning his GED and working as a teaching assistant in GED courses.
Mr. Desmae has also been active in community service, including working as a group facilitator and becoming a certified animal caretaker in connection with the Puppies Behind Bars program, which trains service dogs for U.S. veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. When Mr. Desmae is released, he plans to reunite with his two children and to create a nonprofit similar to the Puppies Behind Bars program for correctional facilities in Florida.