The state of South Carolina officially pardoned James Brown for his former crimes yesterday. Brown served a two-and-a-half-year prison term there after a 1988 arrest on drug and assault charges, and was convicted of another drug-related offence in 1998. But after appearing before the board of the state's Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services yesterday the singer's record was wiped clean.
In a statement Brown responded: "God bless America on this beautiful day. I hope my pardon shows the youth that America is a beautiful country. I feel good!" One report said he started singing 'God Bless America' on hearing the decision.