Mark Wahlberg has been seeking a pardon for an assault conviction back in 1988 saying that he has been working hard ever since to be a better person and not in terms of being a celebrity as he serves as a positive role model for children.
The 43-year-old has submitted a petition two weeks ago to the governor of Massachusetts. The case stems back from when he was only 16 and lived in Dorchester, the largest neighborhood in Boston. He was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, was convicted of assault and even spent more than a month in jail for attacking two men from Vietnam in an attempt to rob. The actor reportedly used profane and racist languages.
According to documents, on the night of April 8, 1988, he attempted to steal two cases of alcohol and that he even hit the man standing outside the convenience store with a wooden stick. He ran down the block to avoid the cops but ended up encountering another man who he also punched in the face.
He says, "I was detained by police a few minutes after that. While I was detained, the police discovered that I had a small amount of marijuana in my back pocket. During the incident, I was under the influence of alcohol and narcotics."
Wahlberg said in a statement, "I've been spending the past 27 years trying to correct the mistakes that I've made. I'm not trying to gain a pardon because I feel like, well, now I'm rich and successful. I didn't ask for it five years, 10 years, 20 years, 25 years after the fact. "
The petition filed also included him being in the public spotlight for more than 20 years now and included his professional biography as well as his acting achievements. He also included a list of more than 10 charity organizations he is supporting as well as the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Youth Foundation.
The father of four added that if he was granted with the pardon, he would be more active in law enforcement activities and assist at-risk individuals.
The parole board might make the final decision pending approval in months to come as the body that will decode should be composed of an eight-person council.
