5 finalists named for Pardons post

Five finalists have been named to fill an opening on the Utah State Board of Pardons and Parole.

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. is interviewing the finalists for the full-time position. The person he names will replace Mike Sibbett, who is retiring this month after 15 years on the board, 12 of which he served as chairman.

The finalists are Brenda Beaton, a deputy attorney for Weber County; Cliff Butter, director of planning and research for the Utah Department of Corrections; Kay Cornaby, former state senator and attorney with Jones, Waldo, Holbrook and McDonough; Keith Hamilton, a self-employed attorney; and Clark Harms, a deputy district attorney for Salt Lake County.

Finalists were chosen from a list of nearly 160 candidates by the executive committee of the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice.

In addition to naming a new board member, Huntsman will also appoint a new chairman or chairwoman from the five board members, which include the current members, Don Blanchard, Curt Garner, Cheryl Hansen and Jesse Gallegos.