Trump Pardons Shark Divers Convicted of Theft for Releasing Sharks
President Trump pardons two Florida shark divers convicted of theft for freeing 19 sharks and a giant grouper from a longline they believed was illegal.
Overview
President Trump has granted pardons to Tanner Mansell and John Moore Jr., two shark divers convicted of theft for releasing 19 sharks and a giant grouper from a longline they thought was illegal. The men, who were convicted in 2022, faced felony charges for their actions, which they believed were in the interest of conservation. Their pardons restore their rights and erase their convictions, with their attorneys arguing that the prosecution was unjust. The case has drawn attention to issues of government overreach and the complexities of marine conservation laws.
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Analysis
- The articles celebrate Trump's decision to pardon two divers who freed sharks, portraying it as a just and positive outcome.
- They emphasize the divers' environmental intentions and the perceived injustice of their prosecution, highlighting public support for their actions.
- Overall, the tone reflects relief and gratitude from the divers and their supporters, viewing the pardon as a restoration of rights.
Articles (3)
Center (2)
"…The full and unconditional pardons signed by Mr. Trump erase those convictions."
CBS News·1M·"…The pardons mean they are no longer felons, restoring their rights to vote, own firearms, and freely travel abroad."
USA TODAY·1M·FAQ
Tanner Mansell and John Moore Jr. freed 19 sharks and a giant grouper from a fisherman's longline, believing the catch was illegal. They acted openly, reported their actions to a wildlife officer, and left the fishing gear as instructed. However, the catch was authorized as part of a research project, leading to their federal felony convictions in 2022 despite evidence of an honest mistake.
President Trump pardoned the shark divers to correct what was seen as an unjust prosecution for an honest mistake. Their attorneys argued the prosecution was unjust, and Trump's decision reflects the use of pardons to mitigate harsh penalties in exceptional cases of 'unfortunate guilt,' restoring their rights and erasing their convictions.
The pardons restored the legal rights of Tanner Mansell and John Moore Jr. and erased their felony convictions, effectively clearing their criminal records related to the theft charges for releasing the sharks and grouper.
The case has drawn attention to issues of government overreach and the complexities of marine conservation laws, especially how legal protections for marine life and authorized scientific research can lead to conflicts with individual conservation actions and interpretations of legality.
History
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