Outgoing Miss. governor pardons killers
http://dervishcom.blogspot.com/2012/01/outgoing-miss-governor-pardons-killers.html
Mississippi's outgoing governor, Haley Barbour, has pardoned at least two murderers who worked at the governor's mansion, including one who was denied parole two weeks ago, according to news reports.
The Associated Press, citing victims' families, says Barbour, a Republican, pardoned at least three killers working as trusties. CNN quotes a corrections officials as saying he pardoned two men serving life sentences for murder.
The inmates were freed Sunday. Barbour leaves office Tuesday after two terms. He will be succeeded by Republican Phil Bryant.
The AP writes that in 2008 he explained that "releasing the trusties who live and work at the mansion is a tradition in Mississippi that goes back decades."
So far, AP says, Barbour's office has not responded to requests for comment.
Sunday, the Jackson Clarion-Ledger (also owned by USA TODAY's parent company, Gannett) told the story of one of the pardoned killer, David Glenn Gatlin, 40, an inmate trusty who has worked at the governor's mansion since 2009. Trusties earn privileges through good behavior.
In 1993, the paper writes, Gatlin "leveled a gun at the head of his wife, Tammy, and killed her while she held their 2-month-old child, then turned the gun on family friend Randy Walker and shot him in the head as well. Walker survived."
On Dec. 27, the Mississippi Parole Board refused to release Gatlin.
Barbour's office also did not respond to the Clarion-Ledger's request for comment.
Victims' families are furious.
"Our pain is bad, but there's a child that doesn't have a mom, and his dad was in jail," Crystal Walker, who husband was wounded by Gatlin, told the Clarion-Ledger. "There are a brother and sister who grew up without their sister. This has affected so many people. We feel like we didn't have a voice in it."
The Mississippi corrections department told CNN that Joseph Ozment was also pardoned. Additionally, AP says Anthony McCray was pardoned, according to the sister of his victim.
The Associated Press, citing victims' families, says Barbour, a Republican, pardoned at least three killers working as trusties. CNN quotes a corrections officials as saying he pardoned two men serving life sentences for murder.
The inmates were freed Sunday. Barbour leaves office Tuesday after two terms. He will be succeeded by Republican Phil Bryant.
The AP writes that in 2008 he explained that "releasing the trusties who live and work at the mansion is a tradition in Mississippi that goes back decades."
So far, AP says, Barbour's office has not responded to requests for comment.
Sunday, the Jackson Clarion-Ledger (also owned by USA TODAY's parent company, Gannett) told the story of one of the pardoned killer, David Glenn Gatlin, 40, an inmate trusty who has worked at the governor's mansion since 2009. Trusties earn privileges through good behavior.
In 1993, the paper writes, Gatlin "leveled a gun at the head of his wife, Tammy, and killed her while she held their 2-month-old child, then turned the gun on family friend Randy Walker and shot him in the head as well. Walker survived."
On Dec. 27, the Mississippi Parole Board refused to release Gatlin.
Barbour's office also did not respond to the Clarion-Ledger's request for comment.
Victims' families are furious.
"Our pain is bad, but there's a child that doesn't have a mom, and his dad was in jail," Crystal Walker, who husband was wounded by Gatlin, told the Clarion-Ledger. "There are a brother and sister who grew up without their sister. This has affected so many people. We feel like we didn't have a voice in it."
The Mississippi corrections department told CNN that Joseph Ozment was also pardoned. Additionally, AP says Anthony McCray was pardoned, according to the sister of his victim.
