Former Mitchell woman applies for pardon

A former Mitchell woman who served four years in prison for drinking alcohol, smoking marijuana and driving under the influence while on probation for a second-degree burglary conviction is applying for a pardon.

Seanne Carol King, of Sioux Falls, recently started the process of completing an application for a pardon with the South Dakota Board of Pardons and Paroles.

In order to complete her application for a pardon, King must have a notice published once a week for three consecutive weeks in the official newspaper of the county where her offense took place. The Daily Republic received her request for publication earlier this month.

King was arrested in August 2004 after she and four other people entered a trailer home in the 1100 block of West First Avenue and stole about $500 worth of entertainment equipment such as a DVD player, VCR, video games, movies and CDs. She was 19 years old at the time.

King pleaded guilty to second-degree burglary in September 2004 and was sentenced the following month.

She received a suspended imposition of sentence, which means the conviction would be erased from King’s record if she successfully completed probation.

But in April 2005, King was arrested for driving under the influence, and then admitted to drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana — all violations of her probation.

King was resentenced and ordered to serve four years in prison.

Once King submits her application to the Board of Pardons and Paroles, it will be reviewed to ensure it was completed correctly. Then King will meet with two members of the board, who can either reject the application or recommend she appear before the full nine-member board. Again, the full board can either reject her application or pass on a recommendation to the governor, who has the final say on all pardons.

King’s application has not yet been filed, according to Mike Vonsik, office manager for the state parole board office.

If a pardon is granted, all official records related to King’s case will be sealed. A public document will be filed with the secretary of state certifying the pardon, which will remain public for five years and then also will be sealed. Legislation put forth by South Dakota’s Open Government Task Force would keep pardons public forever.

The bill may be introduced in this year’s legislative session.