This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2006, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Utah Board of Pardons and Parole Chairman Don Blanchard is leaving, and board member Keith Hamilton will replace him, Gov. Jon Huntsman announced Wednesday. In selecting Hamilton to fill Blanchard's vacancy, Huntsman said he felt Hamilton's previous experience on the board, his leadership style, diverse background and understanding of the criminal justice system make him well qualified to fill Blanchard's vacancy. "Keith will do an outstanding job as the new chair," said Huntsman. Hamilton was the first African-American to graduate from BYU's law school. He served as a judge advocate in the Navy from 1986 to 1993, and served as a full-time member of the parole board from 1997 to 2003. After leaving the board in 2003, Hamilton practiced criminal law in his own firm before rejoining the board last September.
