Pardoned From Marijuana Life Sentence

DALLAS, March 10 (AP) — A man sentenced to life in prison 17 years ago after smoking marijuana while on probation for his part in an armed robbery is to be set free.

Gov. Rick Perry granted the man, Tyrone Brown, a conditional pardon on Friday. Mr. Brown was 17 when he went on probation in the robbery case, but after testing positive for drug use, he was sentenced to life in prison by Judge Keith Dean.

Mr. Perry chose not to terminate Mr. Brown’s sentence as recommended by Dallas County officials and the Texas parole board.

Mr. Brown, whose case has attracted national attention since it was publicized last year, will have to live with his mother, report to a parole officer, find a job and work with a therapist, The Dallas Morning News reported online on Friday.

Violating any of those terms would cause the conditional pardon to be revoked, said Ted Royer, a spokesman for the governor. In prison, officials said, Mr. Brown fought with guards and joined a gang before cleaning up his act in recent years.