David Barren seeks clemency amid support from PA representatives

David Barren with his fiancee and three children | CAN-DO Foundation

By Kelsey Philie

May 20, 2020

Though David Barren was granted clemency by President Barack Obama, he is still serving his time in prison while holding on to hope that President Donald Trump will grant full clemency.

Barren's original life-plus-20-years conviction for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and money laundering was commuted to a 30-year sentence by President Obama in January 2017. The 55-year-old Pittsburgh man has never had ties to criminal organizations, he says, and fears that serving the remaining 13 years of his sentence will end his chances at a fresh start.

Barren has the support of several non-profits that advocate for clemency on behalf of all non-violent drug offenders, as well as U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle (D-PA) and Pennsylvania state Rep. Edward Gainey (D-Pittsburgh). Both Representatives Doyle and Gainey have reviewed Barren's case and believe his sentence is overly harsh, according to the CAN-DO Foundation. They suggest that this makes him a strong candidate for executive clemency.

Rep. Doyle is focused on addressing systemic racism and supporting meaningful criminal justice reform, including commuting sentences related to failed drug policies and an overhaul of mandatory minimums, according to his website.

Rep. Doyle did not respond to request for comment on specifics related to the David Barren case or legislative changes that would increase review of prisoners for shortened sentence consideration.

Barren has remained committed to rehabilitation in hope that he will have his shot at a second chance to become a productive member of society. While incarcerated, he has served as a mentor for younger inmates and obtained a paralegal certificate from Adams State University of Colorado with a 4.0 grade point average. He hopes to earn a bachelor's degree in business administration.

Barren's request for clemency by President Trump is being spearheaded by his fiancee, Anrica Caldwell, who has organized a petition to the president, Attorney General William Barr and Pardon Attorney Larry Kupers on Barren's behalf. The petition has garnered over 19,000 signatures in support of Barren receiving clemency.