Convicted Murderer Freed by Trump Arrested for Assaulting His Wife Post-Release
© AP Photo / Manuel Balce Ceneta
In a largely overlooked case, Jaime A. Davidson, who was convicted of the murder of a federal law enforcement officer in the early 1990s, received a commutation from former President Donald Trump during the final days of his administration in 2021. While many of Trump’s pardons and commutations made headlines, Davidson’s release slipped under the radar.
However, new developments reveal that Davidson has since found himself in legal trouble again. Independent journalist Judd Legum recently uncovered that Davidson was convicted of domestic violence charges earlier this year. Authorities in Florida accused him of assaulting his wife during a domestic dispute, leading to a conviction of battery and domestic abuse.
Davidson was sentenced to three months in jail this summer. While he was acquitted of the charge of battery by strangulation, Legum’s report indicates that the charge was dropped because it required proof that the victim faced the risk of “great bodily harm.” Legum’s investigation also highlights how Davidson managed to bypass the traditional route for obtaining a presidential pardon. Instead of working through the Office of the Pardon Attorney, Davidson directly lobbied President Trump, reported Newsweek.
“In the waning days of Trump’s presidency, Davidson eschewed the Office of the Pardon Attorney and sought relief directly from Trump,” Legum wrote. The report points out that Davidson’s attorney, Betty Schein, and her husband, Alan Futerfas, had strong connections to the Trump White House. Notably, Futerfas represented figures closely associated with the Trump Organization, including Donald Trump Jr.
John Duncan, the prosecutor responsible for Davidson’s conviction three decades ago, expressed disbelief when Davidson was released. After being contacted by The New York Times in 2021, Duncan said, “If you ask me for a list of people who nobody should give a presidential commutation, Davidson would pretty much be at the top of the list.” Davidson’s recent legal troubles, combined with the unusual process by which he obtained his commutation, continue to raise questions about the decision to release him.
