Huckabee: Clemmons backlash could deter pardons
By The Associated Press
This article was published December 14, 2009 at 3:36 p.m.
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Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee says he’s worried that the backlash from commuting the sentence of a man who later gunned down four police officers will deter other governors from granting clemency.
Huckabee on Monday defended his commutation of Maurice Clemmons, who was killed by Seattle police days after he shot four Lakewood, Wash., police officers inside a coffee shop Nov. 29.
As governor, Huckabee in 2000 commuted Clemmons’ 108-year sentence for robbery and several other crimes and made him eligible for parole. The state Parole Board released Clemmons later that year.
Huckabee, who pardoned or commuted the sentences of 1,033 people during his 10 1/2 years in office, has faced criticism over his use of executive clemency as governor. Huckabee ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination last year.
Comments on: Huckabee: Clemmons backlash could deter pardons
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manta says... December 14, 2009 at 4:40 p.m.
Unlike Mr. Huckabee, I certainly hope this case will deter other governors from granting clemency. If they do, It is my hope they accept responsibility for their action and aren't re-elected.
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ladykelien says... December 14, 2009 at 5:59 p.m.
I would be curious to know the average number of Clemencies provided by goveners around the country per year. I have a feeling that saying 1033 is a lot for two and a half terms is a huge understatment.
Personally, I believe Huckabee is ever bit as guilty of those murders and the abuse of that poor girl as the man who did it. He was the one that let him out of prison.
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charles_hillis says... December 14, 2009 at 7:09 p.m.
He is no different than other governors. They all do it and yes!, I agree maybe it will make them take a closer look before letting these folks out of prison.What bothers me is that most of the time the law officers that put them in prison has no say about it when they are released back into society.
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mrsbur says... December 15, 2009 at 12:28 a.m.
I don't think we can sit in our homes and decide the fate of
an individual without knowing all the facts. Gov. Huckabee did not act alone, but on the advise of other officials. We all know that unfair sentences are sometimes handed out and that there are innocent people in our prisons. Perhaps the procedure for allowing clemency or pardon needs to be looked at. I do think the official who grants clemency or pardon does need to take responsibility for the action.
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HB4 says... December 15, 2009 at 7:29 a.m.
I'm not ready to crucify Huckabee for this one. I can't see where there was any real political or financial pressure for him to make this pardon. He made a mistake....in hindsight.
Let it be known that I am not a huge Huckabee fan but this is one decision. He got it wrong. **shrugs** While its tragic and unfortunate what happened to those police officers and I feel for their families and friends.... this happens.
We don't have a perfect system. It relies on human interpretation and human decision making.
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