(AP/KAIR)--Kansas Governor Sam Brownback has issued his first pardon in almost seven years in office to a man convicted of felony theft as a college student in 1994. Brownback's office announced the pardon Tuesday for Mark Schmitt of Parker, Colorado. Schmitt is a Liberal, Kansas, native convicted of felony theft while living as a college student in Ottawa. The governor's office said the charge arose from a false insurance claim for $1,552. It said Schmitt completed probation, paid restitution and had his record expunged. Brownback said in a statement that Schmitt has proven since to be "a man of character." The governor's office said Schmitt applied for a pardon from former Democratic Governor Mark Parkinson but the paperwork was lost. Brownback denied 72 other clemency applications.
Among them were two convicted in Atchison County, with one application filed on behalf of Heather Robinson and the other on behalf of Philip Boyce.
Two others denied involved Jefferson County convictions, with clemency applications submitted on behalf of Noah Gleason and Michael Gritz.
© Associated Press/Many Signals Communications
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Horton man arrested following weekend shooting
Hiawatha man facing sex, drug charges waives prelim hearing
Morrill pair arrested on drug, child endangerment charges
Two arrested Thursday in Jackson Co on meth-related charges
Falls City man sentenced to Federal Prison
Jackson Co traffic stop leads to arrest
Inmate dies at Lansing Correctional Facility
Ground Broken for new Sac and Fox Trad'n Post
One held for past Atchison shooting
Early Thursday storms leave damage, outages, locally
MO grass fire battled Thursday
Mound City Mayor Duane Nauman remembered
Community Healthcare System hires new CEO
Brown Co Planning Commission established
Falls City School Board approves personnel moves and purchases
Valley Falls' future set for Wednesday eve discussion
PBPN breaks ground for new business
LATEST STORIES
Friday afternoon: Avoid Hwy 16 west of Holton
90 mph+ downburst winds blamed for Thursday damage
Morrill pair arrested on drug, child endangerment charges
Rates to increase at Brown Co landfill
NOAA weather radio event set in Seneca
Falls City man sentenced to Federal Prison