Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee granted a pardon Thursday to Grammy-nominated country artist Jelly Roll for his previous criminal convictions, noting the musician’s journey from incarceration to advocacy and stardom.
The pardon, one of 33 clemency actions granted by the Republican governor in light of the Christmas season, celebrates Jelly Roll’s personal growth.
Born as Jason Bradley DeFord on Dec. 4, 1984, the Nashville native spent much of his youth in juvenile facilities, including more than three years at the Davidson County Juvenile Detention Center beginning at age 14 and has been jailed around 40 times for offenses including aggravated robbery and drug possession. He earned a high school equivalency degree at 23 while incarcerated….