AFTER MANY LETTERS, PATAKI GRANTS CLEMENCY TO BRONX DRUG DEALER

Gov. George E. Pataki on Saturday commuted the sentence of a Bronx man
serving nine years in prison for drug possession, the 33rd time he has
taken such action in his 11 years as governor.

The clemency granted to the man, Darryl Best, 49, who is imprisoned at
Otisville Correctional Facility in Orange County, was the first this
year. The governor granted no executive clemencies last year.

Best will now be eligible for release form prison in January.

He was originally sentenced in 2001 to a prison term of 15 years to
life on a charge of first-degree possession of a controlled substance,
according to the governor's office. It was his only criminal convection.

Best was then resentenced in the spring to nine years, with five years
of post-supervision, under changes to the Rockefeller drug law
approved by the legislature and signed by Pataki.

While in prison, Best was an aide in a literary program, a group
leader in cabinet-making and millwork activities and a hall attendant.
He also was a volunteer at a Catholic church, received praise for his
efforts.

Mollie Fullington, a spokeswoman for the governor, said Pataki
received many clemency request this year, They were whittled down to
five, including the one for best.

She said Best's cause had been taken up by Russell Simmons, the music
mogul, and other community and business leaders who had organized a
letter-writing campaign on his behalf.

"During the holiday season we are reminded of the true meaning of
compassion, particularly for individuals who take it upon themselves
to improve there lives," Pataki said in a written statement.