A Canadian man who was sentenced to two years and six months for attempting to smuggle 20 pounds of cocaine from Jamaica has been granted an early release by Governor General Sir Patrick Allen.
A news release yesterday from King's House, the governor general's official residence, said the man, John Edwards, left Jamaica on Wednesday under special conditions and at a cost to the Canadian Government.
Yesterday, King's House said Edwards was scheduled for release on July 6, 2020.
According to King's House, the current COVID-19 pandemic and its uncertainty, particularly as it relates to travel, also influenced the governor general's decision to exercise the prerogative of mercy.
King's House also explained that in exercising the prerogative of mercy — including the power to grant pardon to any person who has been sentenced to death — the governor general acts on the advice of the Jamaican Privy Council.
