Blunt pardons six people convicted years ago of nonviolent crimes

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Gov. Matt Blunt pardoned six people Sunday, giving them the holiday present of cleaning their criminal records.

The five men and one woman were convicted years ago of a range of different nonviolent crimes, from stealing to second-degree arson.

Blunt spokeswoman Jessica Robinson said the pardons are "in keeping with the spirit of the holiday season."

Blunt says the pardons were recommended by the Missouri's Probation and Parole Board.

Pardoned were Alicia Allison-Brown, Jesse Barnes, James Birdwell, Craig Johnson, Robert Jordan and Carl Smart. Most were convicted of their crimes decades ago. The most recent conviction happened in 1990.