Matthew Rushin was incarcerated in 2019 after a serious car crash. Although Mr. Rushin said that the crash was unintentional, he was advised to plead guilty to malicious wounding, which requires intent to cause harm. ASAN believes that Mr. Rushin may not have received the support he needed to understand what this plea meant. He received a 50-year sentence with 40 years “suspended.”  This meant that he would spend up to ten years in jail, followed by another forty years of supervision by the criminal legal system. This sentence was far harsher than state guidelines recommended. ASAN and the Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network (AWNN) expressed our concern in a July 2020 letter that racism and ableism influenced the plea and the sentence in Mr. Rushin’s case. In addition, Mr. Rushin faced severe difficulties accessing necessary medical and mental health care while incarcerated.

We are pleased that Governor Northam has granted Mr. Rushin a conditional pardon. Mr. Rushin’s pardon will reduce his sentence and enable him to be released in early 2021.

Source: ASAN Applauds the Pardon of Matthew Rushin | Autistic Self Advocacy Network