Danny Lyons was one of 78 Ohioans to be pardoned for their crimes.

The 63-year-old was convicted in the 1960's for burglary and forgery. The crime took place at a business he worked for in Columbus. He spent three years in prison.

Lyons, a former Chauncey Village council member, convinced the state nearly 40 years later that he is a changed man, who turned his life around.

"I'm really excited about it. They really can't say anything about me now."

Lyons said council members continued to look at him as a criminal even when he was doing good for the village of 1,200.

Tom Baggs was one of those council members who said he's changed his mind about Lyons.

"I'm proud of him. I really am. I'm glad he got it," said Baggs.

Lyons who pushed for clemency since 2006 said other Ohioans fighting to get their criminal cases pardoned should stand tight, do what's right, and they'll get it.

Since Governor Bob Taft's administration, more than 700 Ohioans have requested clemency.

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