Nixon pardons 9 Missourians for nonviolent crimes

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has pardoned nine people convicted of nonviolent crimes.

Nixon on Monday announced the pardons for several military veterans and others who completed their sentences.

Many of those granted clemency were convicted for theft or marijuana possession.

Nixon has granted just one other clemency request since taking office in 2009.

A coalition of Missouri lawyers and law professors called on Nixon earlier this year to commute the prison sentences of 14 women they say were victims of domestic abuse.

Nixon so far has not pardoned any of the women listed by the Community Coalition for Clemency.

A spokesman for Nixon says there are 2,406 pending clemency petitions.