Miss. Court Blocks Some of Barbour's Pardons
Posted on Wed Jan 11, 2012 at 08:20:46 PM EST
Tags: pardons (all tags)
The Attorney General of Mississipi succeeded today in having a state court judge block 21 of the 200 pardons granted by outgoing Gov. Haley Barbour:
A Mississippi judge has temporarily blocked the release of 21 inmates who'd been given pardons or medical release by Republican Haley Barbour in one of his final acts as governor. Circuit Judge Tomie Green issued an injunction late Wednesday at the request of Democratic Attorney General Jim Hood.
AG Hood said the pardons violated the state constitution by not giving notice the inmates had applied for relief.
Harbour has now explained his actions: [More...]
Barbour's statement is quoted at greater length here."The pardons were intended to allow them to find gainful employment or acquire professional licenses as well as hunt and vote," Barbour said. "My decision about clemency was based upon the recommendation of the Parole Board in more than 90 percent of the cases."
"My decision about clemency was based upon the recommendation of the Parole Board in more than 90 percent of the cases," the statement said.Some of those pardoned received suspended sentences and not full pardons. Barbour's office says 189 of the 215 he pardoned have already been released.The statement went on to say 13 of the 26 inmates released from custody cost the state so much money due to their medical expenses and can be returned to custody if they commit another crime.
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