Posted on 01/11/2012 4:16:23 PM PST by WKB
JACKSON, Miss. -- Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood said he is taking legal action in response to pardons issued by outgoing Gov. Haley Barbour.
Hood said a court battle is ahead over five inmates Barbour pardoned on Friday. All five men served as trusties at the Governor's Mansion. Four of the five had been convicted of murder.
During a news conference on Wednesday, Hood said Barbour violated the state Constitution because the pardon requests from the inmates were not published 30 days in advance, as required. State law requires that before the governor can grant a pardon, sufficient public notice must be given, Hood said. Barbour left office on Tuesday, after Phil Bryant was sworn in as governor. That same day, Barbour granted pardons for more than 200 convicts, including 20 convicted of murder, manslaughter or homicide. Barbour also issued pardons to several others for charges ranging from rape to robbery.
Read: Gov. Haley Barbour Pardons 2004-2012
"It's a slap in the face to me as a prosecutor, after serving 20 years, that we have to go back and try to round up all these convicts that have been turned loose and try to fix the mess that he's created." Hood said. "He ought to be ashamed."
Hood, a Democrat, was going to state court late Wednesday to ask a state judge to halt the release of any inmates pardoned by Barbour if they are still awaiting the completion of paperwork to be released.
Barbour also suspended some sentences and ordered conditional clemency for Karen Irby, who pleaded guilty in 2010 to manslaughter in connection with the deaths of doctors Lisa Dedousis and Daniel Pogue, who were killed in a 2009 crash in Jackson. Irby will be released from prison and will have to serve three years of house arrest and two years of probation, under Barbour’s order.
Some Lawmakers Seek Pardon Accountability
Lisa Dedousis' brother, Dr. John Dedousis, said his family was not notified of the clemency order. He said they heard about it through the news media.
"I was shocked when I heard, saw and read this," John Dedousis said. "This is so much bigger than Karen Irby. What your governor has done is totally insane. Over 200 criminals, including murderers and rapists, pardoned. Talk about a travesty of justice, for the victims, the families, for all the people of Mississippi."
John Dedousis said he has contacted his attorney, who has spoken to Hood's office about whether the required procedures and laws were followed in granting clemency to Irby.
"We need to follow him and hold him accountable and not let him get away with this," John Dedousis said. "I am so upset, I have already started a Facebook page called Victims of Mississippi Pardons. I hope that we can unite and come together with ideas how to fight this unprecedented tragedy."
Barbour was in Miami on Wednesday, where he was scheduled to speak. He has not had any comment about the pardons.
MS Ping.
Way to go Haley make Jim Hood look tough.
I seriously see no upside to pardoning murderers, armed robbers and rapists. I only see huge negatives and a huge headache. Why make yourself more hated than Casey Anthony? What’s the point other than..... you pardon people just because you can.
I can see the upside to pardoning someone with a stiff sentence for a petty crime, that might make you look good in the community.
This may interest you.
I hope every frikkin one of them is in violation! Here in Pascagoula that fat ass is the talk of the town. I’m sure it’s the same all over the state, probably the nation.
There has got to be someone somewhere in this wood pile.
The pile of organic matter that your dog leaves on the lawn is now know in South Mississippi as... a “haley”.
LLS
Thanks. Spitting mad.
Having had two people convicted of murder, one very doubtful
of guilt and one of vehicle manslaughter, I had much rather
befriend them than thieves. Thieves never change.
Barbour has gone full-blown Huckabee and didn’t dare attend the new governor’s ball last night.
Guess he’s in hiding.
Beyond unconscionable and disgusting.
He is so worried about it he is Miami giving a speech!!!
I trust NO ONE on this list.
http://republicanwhip.house.gov/newsroom/2009/04/national-council-for-a-new-america-formed.html
Our National Panel of Experts:
Governor Haley Barbour
Governor Jeb Bush
Governor Bobby Jindal
Senator John McCain
Governor Mitt Romney
(snip)
Sincerely,
John Boehner, Eric Cantor, Mike Pence, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, John Carter, Pete Sessions, David Dreier, Kevin McCarthy, Roy Blunt
Mitch McConnell, Jon Kyl, Lamar Alexander, John Ensign, John Cornyn, John Thune, Kay Bailey Hutchison
//
Gingrich Joins Cantor’s Effort To Remake GOP
I do not care what Barbour’s reasoning was. There is absolutely no justification for these actions.
I do not care what Barbour’s reasoning was. There is absolutely no justification for these actions.
If Haley trusts these guys so much, why doesn’t he invite them over to his house?
Excellent question.
“Some people have misunderstood the clemency process and think that all or most of the individuals who received clemency from former Gov. Haley Barbour were in jail at the time of their release. Approximately 90 percent of these individuals were no longer in custody, and a majority of them had been out for years. The pardons were intended to allow them to find gainful employment or acquire professional licenses as well as hunt and vote. My decision about clemency was based upon the recommendation of the Parole Board in more than 90 percent of the cases. The 26 people released from custody due to clemency is just slightly more than one-tenth of 1 percent of those incarcerated.
Half of the people who were incarcerated and released were placed on indefinite suspension due to medical reasons because their health care expenses while incarcerated were costing the state so much money. These individuals suffer from severe chronic illnesses, are on dialysis, in wheelchairs or are bedridden. They are not threats to society but if any of them commits an offense – even a misdemeanor – they'll be returned to custody to serve out their term.
Of the inmates released for medical reasons, a small number were placed on house arrest, and all still remain under the supervision of the Department of Corrections.”
Source: http://www.wlbt.com/story/16501321/former-gov-barbour-issues-statement-regarding
I knew and interacted with all the Mansion trustees for the last 12 years, however, I do not agree with the release of anyone convicted of violent crimes. By the way, I met the new Mansion trustees yesterday. Docents are not told, nor are we to ask, what their crimes were.
Your Welcome.
I would be splitting mad as well.
"Some people have misunderstood the clemency process and think that all or most of the individuals who received clemency from former Gov. Haley Barbour were in jail at the time of their release. Approximately 90 percent of these individuals were no longer in custody, and a majority of them had been out for years. The pardons were intended to allow them to find gainful employment or acquire professional licenses as well as hunt and vote. My decision about clemency was based upon the recommendation of the Parole Board in more than 90 percent of the cases. The 26 people released from custody due to clemency is just slightly more than one-tenth of 1 percent of those incarcerated.
Half of the people who were incarcerated and released were placed on indefinite suspension due to medical reasons because their health care expenses while incarcerated were costing the state so much money. These individuals suffer from severe chronic illnesses, are on dialysis, in wheelchairs or are bedridden. They are not threats to society but if any of them commits an offense – even a misdemeanor – they'll be returned to custody to serve out their term.
Of the inmates released for medical reasons, a small number were placed on house arrest, and all still remain under the supervision of the Department of Corrections."
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.