Spotlight PA: “Gov. Josh Shapiro’s nomination to the Board of Pardons is a psychiatrist and attorney who has for decades acted as a hired expert witness in high-profile cases.

Shapiro nominated John S. O’Brien II to fill the vacancy left when psychiatrist John Williams’ term expired in November. Two Republican-controlled state Senate committees will review O’Brien’s nomination before the full chamber votes to approve or deny the appointment.

‘The Shapiro administration is confident that Dr. John O’Brien II will serve the Board of Pardons well,’ said spokesperson Alex Peterson in an emailed statement.

A request for comment from O’Brien was not returned as of publication.

As a member of the Board of Pardons, O’Brien would help make the ultimate decision on both commutation and pardon applications from people who seek to either shorten a prison sentence or wipe clean a criminal history….

Bret Grote, legal director of the Abolitionist Law Center, called the nomination unacceptable. ‘Any mental health professional who professes that children cannot be rehabilitated is the 20th and 21st century equivalent of those who believed in phrenology,’ he said.”

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