President Obama Commutes Sentence Of Deval Patrick's Cousin
BOSTON (CBS) – A first cousin of Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick is one of the eight federal prisoners granted a commuted sentence by President Barack Obama.
Reynolds Allen Wintersmith was sentenced to life in prison in 1994 on crack cocaine trafficking charges. His sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court in 1998.
A spokesperson for the governor says he does not recall meeting his cousin and denied he played any role in getting him out of prison.
A White House official told CNN's Brianna Keilar, "We have no indication that Governor Patrick contacted either DOJ or the White House and it had no impact on the consideration of the petition."
A source tells CNN that Gov. Patrick has "no recollection" of meeting Wintersmith.
President Obama commuted the sentences of eight people he said were serving unduly harsh sentences for drug crimes.
