Peter F. Martin

Who is Peter F. Martin?

Peter F. Martin is an American politician who is a Democratic member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives. He has represented the 75th District Newport since January 2009. He is currently serves on the House Committees on Judiciary and Veteran’s Affairs. During his earlier terms of office he has served on the House Committees on Small Business, Separation of Powers, Municipal Government, and Government Oversight.

In August 2010, Representative Martin was appointed to a three year term as the Rhode Island Legislative Commissioner on the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.

During the 2011 legislative session, Representative Martin was successful in obtaining a pardon for John Gordon, an Irish immigrant who was hanged in 1845 for the murder of Amasa Sprague, a Rhode Island mill owner. The pardon was granted and signed by Governor Lincoln Chafee based on a House Judiciary Committee hearing in which conclusive evidence was presented that John Gordon had been given an unfair hearing by a prejudiced court. In April 2013, a book which documents this effort entitled "The Hanging & Redemption of John Gordon" was written by Rhode Island Deputy Secretary of State Paul Caranci.