Gov. Chris Christie commutes sentence of man convicted of having guns in N.J. illegally

Newark Star Ledger ^ | 12/20/2010 | Ginger Gibson

[Still Thinking]

Aitken had appealed to Christie for commutation. Didn't request a pardon.

If Christie had the legal ability to do the pardon instead, he should have done that. If he didn't, he should have rejected the commutation and told them to file for the pardon.

[EternalVigilance]

It’s still a gross injustice. He didn’t do anything wrong.

But I’m glad he will get to spend Christmas with his family.

[onona]

Yup

[Erasmus]

He still has a felony on record and has lost his RKBA.

I would say he never really lost it, he had it abridged under false color of authority.

[Still Thinking]

Don’t feel bad. I was equally pissed when W commuted Scooter Libby for his non-crimes, instead of pardoning him and initiation an investigation of his politically motivated prosecution.

[SkyPilot]

Gun owners always joke the NJ State Police have uniforms like the SS.

Can't argue with you there.

The first time I saw one of these guys in public, I thought they were going to a skin head rally (really).

BTW, the comments in the local NJ paper are typical. One reader has already tossed in the "Race Card", trying to say if he was black he would still be in prison.

The next reader said, no, if he was black, the gun would have been stolen and already used in multiple crimes.

HA!

A mug shot of the "DANGER TO SOCIETY WHO HAD A NJ FIREARMS ID AND CALLED THE POLICE FIRST TO MAKE SURE HE WAS COMPLYING WITH NJ GUN LAWS"

[who knows what evil?]

Now Governor Lynch needs to do the same for Ward Bird in New Hampshire...

[SkyPilot]

I agree.I’d tell that nut of a mother,goodbye!

His mother claimed she was a "trained social worker."

TRANSLATION: Nanny Busy Body Who Thinks She Is Smarter Than She Really Is

By the way, anyone know if Jenna Bostock, the woman in this photo, is his ex-wife?

I hope that maybe they can get back together. That would be storybook.

[LaineyDee]

I’ll bet he won’t be going to Mom’s home for Christmas....

[sargon]

Should have been a full pardon but I’m glad he at least got out of jail.

Jury nullification would have been an even better solution, but that’s asking a bit much from the sheeple.

Both very good points. Since Gov. Christie is rather anti-gun, I guess a pardon was too much to ask.

Gov. Christie supports semi-auto bans, and everyone who thinks he should be President ought to be aware of that.

I could never vote for a New England liberal (by definition) with such views on guns.

Christie's ostensible fiscal conservatism is laudable, but his blind spot on the Second Amendment is abominable.

[TXConservative25]

The executive power of commutations and pardons serves a very important role as we see here.

[SkyPilot]

OK - I found out. That woman, Jenna Bostock, is his fiancée.

"Bostock said she and Aitken plan to get married. “He’s the love of my life, and the fact that were not together right now ... . “Being away from him every day, when we plan to spend the rest of our lives together. For that to end because of something that is so ridiculous and so unjust, it’s really hard,” Bostock said. "

Good for Brian! Liberal Gun Control heads must be exploding. He goes free, and he gets the girl.

[therut]

Yep. Should have been a pardon. Is he now a felon and can NEVER own or tough a firearm or ammo. If so this is not GOOD enough and shows a weakness in the GOV.

[beezdotcom]

The criminal act here is Christie's failure to grant a full pardon.

The article indicates that the man applied for a commutation...if that is true, then I think he screwed up.

[SkyPilot]

If so this is not GOOD enough and shows a weakness in the GOV.

See post #38.

[freekitty]

Yes.

[therut]

The guy needs to head straight out of NJ and never go back.

[WOSG]

Yes indeed, KUDOS to Gov Christie...

and “This is HUGE. It is a massive slap in the face to the “gun controllers”, the out of control Burlington County prosecutor, the idiot cops from Mt. Laurel who even arrested him, and that absolutely criminal judge in this case (whom Christie basically fired).”

Yes, what the Judge did was a crime.

[cameraeye]

“NJ State Police have uniforms like the SS.”

They do! They Do!

[MaxMax]

It always ticks me off when politicians only go half way, as if they only care about being re-elected.