Jelly Roll could quickly see his prison document cleaned.
On Tuesday, the Tennessee Board of Parole unanimously really useful a pardon for the rapper-turned-country music performer, who holds an extended rap sheet from days passed by.
The board’s motion leaves the ultimate determination on a pardon as much as Gov. Invoice Lee.
Jelly Roll, whose actual title is Jason DeFord, has by no means shied away from discussing the time he spent in jail for theft and drug prices and the work he’s executed to beat his troubled previous.
Now, the 40-year-old singer desires to have the ability to journey internationally to carry out and share his message of redemption, and a pardon could be a primary step in attaining that dream.
The parole board issued its nonbinding suggestion unanimously after a listening to that lasted about an hour and 45 minutes with a number of witnesses, together with Nashville Sheriff Daron Corridor, advocating for the musician. One board member recused themselves from voting.
Jelly Roll broke into nation music with the 2023 album Whitsitt Chapel and crossover songs like Want a Favor. He has received a number of CMT Awards, a CMA Award and earned 4 Grammy nominations, together with for brand spanking new artist of the yr.
Chatting with reporters about Tuesday’s suggestion for a pardon, he stated, “This was unbelievable. I pray this goes by way of. However at this time was particular for me, regardless.”
Final yr, Jelly Roll gave highly effective testimony in regards to the U.S. fentanyl disaster, telling legislators he desires to be “a part of the answer” for the opioid disaster.
“At each live performance I carry out, I witness the heartbreaking influence of fentanyl. I see followers grappling with this tragedy within the type of music … that they search solace in music and hope that their experiences received’t befall others,” he stated on the time.
“These are the individuals I’m right here to talk for, y’all. These individuals crave reassurance that their elected officers really care extra about human life than they do about ideology and partisanship.”
From the age of 14, he spent a decade out and in of detention for drug dealing and different crimes, serving time in jail for prices that included aggravated theft and possession with the intent to promote.
Get each day Nationwide information
Get the day’s prime information, political, financial, and present affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox as soon as a day.
His most severe convictions embrace a theft at age 17 and drug prices at 23. Within the first case, a feminine acquaintance helped Jelly Roll and two different younger males enter a home in 2002. Each of the others have been carrying weapons, though Jelly Roll was unarmed. They demanded cash, and obtained $350 and a pockets with no cash in it. As a result of the victims knew the feminine acquaintance, she and Jelly Roll have been arrested instantly. He was sentenced to serve a yr in jail and extra time on probation.
In 2008, police on patrol discovered each marijuana and crack cocaine in his automobile. He was sentenced to eight years of court-ordered supervision. He additionally has two misdemeanour offences for driving with out a licence and possession of drug paraphernalia.
“I introduced my neighborhood down. I damage individuals,” he testified final yr. “I used to be part of the issue. I’m right here now standing as a person that desires to be part of the answer.”
Today, he typically visits jails and rehabilitation centres earlier than performing concert events. He has purchased eating places out for the day to feed people who find themselves homeless and performed basketball with youngsters at a youth centre the identical day he carried out in Winnipeg. He stated he typically doesn’t search out information protection when he makes these visits.
Lee, a Republican, stated each case looking for clemency, equivalent to a pardon, is equally essential and goes by way of a radical course of.
“The reporting on Jelly Roll, that’s encouraging for his scenario, however there are steps but to occur in that case,” he instructed reporters Tuesday.
Jelly Roll instructed the board Tuesday that whereas in a detention centre, he fell in love with songwriting. “It began as a ardour undertaking that felt therapeutic and would find yourself altering my life in ways in which I by no means dreamed possible and opened doorways that I’ve by no means thought potential,” he stated.
As part of the pardon utility, associates and civic leaders wrote to the board about Jelly Roll’s transformation and generosity. Corridor, who runs Nashville’s jail, wrote that Jelly Roll had an awakening in one of many jails he managed. Dwell Nation Leisure CEO and president Michael Rapino additionally wrote in his favour, declaring all the cash he has given from his performances to charities for at-risk youth.
— With recordsdata from The Related Press
© 2025 International Information, a division of Corus Leisure Inc.
