FELONS COME SEEKING FORGIVENESS FROM PARDON BOARD

Madison - The Rev. Ronald Horton literally came hat-in-hand Saturday seeking
the second chance in life that begins with a positive recommendation from
the Governor's Pardon Advisory Board.

With his felt fedora resting on a nearby table, the assistant pastor at St.
Luke's Baptist Church in Milwaukee, who forgives sins of his church members,
asked to be forgiven for a sexual assault conviction that occurred 30 years
ago.

"I want to continue in public life, to put closure to what I've done and it
would just further help my resume," said Horton, who "with God's help" and a
pardon could become a full pastor someday.

The board will recommend action Monday to Gov. Tommy G. Thompson, who has
the final say. Horton prays that a Thompson pardon will help him to someday
become a minister at his own church. Thompson will resign as governor
Thursday to become health and human services secretary in the Bush
administration.

Horton, who has been a minister for 27 years, said he was deserving of a
pardon because he has married, stayed out of trouble and received counseling
for his past troubles.

"I've also received a lot of help from support groups and family," said
Horton on what he said would be his first and last appearance before the
board.

Horton's request was one of 43 considered by the board Saturday.

Felons are required to wait five years after their sentences end before
seeking a pardon, but the advisory board waived that requirement for Jake
Lasee, son of Sen. Alan Lasee, (R-De Pere).

"It's rare we successfully see someone get a pardon this close to their
crime," board member Michael Lew told Lasee.

Lasee, 36, was sentenced in 1997 to six months in jail and three years of
probation for felony possession of cocaine with intent to deliver. The
street value of the drugs he had when he was arrested was about $350, Lasee
told the board Saturday.

"Bills were backing up a bit," Lasee said. "Since then, I've tried to do
better by my family and community."

Lasee is now president of a construction company.

The board also questioned Michael Vieth, who phoned in his remarks from
prison, where he is serving a 60-year sentence for kidnapping and sexually
assaulting a 15-year-old girl.

Thompson, an Elroy native, has known Vieth since he was a boy.

Vieth said a shortened sentence would permit his transfer to a
medium-security prison and give him access to programs for drug and alcohol
rehabilitation and anger management that are not available to him now.

Vieth pleaded no contest Feb. 19, 1996, to kidnapping, first-degree sexual
assault and four counts of recklessly endangering safety.

He told investigators that when the crimes occurred Nov. 1, 1995, he was
angry about an Amish buggy forcing his vehicle into a ditch. Vieth said he
wanted "to get one up on the Amish," the criminal complaint says.

Vieth abducted the girl in rural Wilton as she walked home from substitute
teaching. He threatened her with a retractable saw, forced her to have
intercourse and eventually let her go, authorities said.