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Person of interest in police killings had life sentence commuted (by Huckabee)
king5.com ^ | 11/29/09 | king5.com

Posted on 11/29/2009 9:43:52 PM PST by AKSurprise

SEATTLE – The man police are seeking as a person of interest in the shooting deaths of four Lakewood, Wash. police officers was supposed to be spending the rest of his life in an Arkansas prison.

But, Maurice Clemmons, 37, who has a criminal history complete with violent, psychotic outbursts, was set free by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

Killed Sunday morning in what detectives call an "ambush" at a coffee shop were Sgt. Mark Renninger, 39; Ronald Owens, 37; Tina Griswold, 40; and Greg Richards 42.

In 1989, Clemmons, then 17, was convicted in Little Rock for aggravated robbery. He was paroled in 2000 after Huckabee commuted Clemmons' 95- year prison sentence. Huckabee, who was criticized during his run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 for the number of clemencies and commutations he granted, cited Clemmons' age at the time of the sentence.

"Back then, Gov. Huckabee granted clemency to a disturbing number of people, including a man named Maurice Clemmons who should have never been left out," said Larry Jegley, prosecuting attorney for Arkansas' Pulaski County.

(Excerpt) Read more at m.king5.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Front Page News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: blamehuckabee; blowback; commutations; huckabee; huckster; lakewood; lakewoodshooting; mauriceclemmons; murder; policeslaying; poorjudgement; rinoboomerang; weakoncrime
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He hucked up alright...
1 posted on 11/29/2009 9:43:53 PM PST by AKSurprise
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To: AKSurprise

Oops.


2 posted on 11/29/2009 9:45:10 PM PST by Oshkalaboomboom
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To: AKSurprise

Let Em Free Huckabee


3 posted on 11/29/2009 9:46:30 PM PST by raccoonradio
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To: AKSurprise

Oh, boy. We have another Willie Horton on our hands, and not my boyhood hero who played for the Detroit Tigers.


4 posted on 11/29/2009 9:48:20 PM PST by FlyVet
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To: AKSurprise

That old Compassion gets them every time.


5 posted on 11/29/2009 9:48:30 PM PST by Jeff Chandler (:: The government will do for health care what it did for real estate. ::)
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To: AKSurprise

Nice going guv.


6 posted on 11/29/2009 9:48:59 PM PST by ScottinSacto
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To: AKSurprise

Huck, you just been “Hortonized”.


7 posted on 11/29/2009 9:49:12 PM PST by norge (The amiable dunce is back, wearing a skirt and high heels.)
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To: AKSurprise

Sweet! The Huckster just ended his political future!!


8 posted on 11/29/2009 9:53:27 PM PST by ConservativeMind (Hypocrisy: "Animal rightists" who eat meat & pen up pets while accusing hog farmers of cruelty.)
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To: AKSurprise

Huckabee’s mealy-mouthed political class excuses show no accountability and are more of a Bart Simpson impression of a leftist; I didn’t do it, no one saw me do it, there’s no way you can prove anything! I pray he’s presidential dead meat; and dubbed Mike “The Huckster” Huckabee, known for selling of shoddy goods and things you don’t need. Further, the only thing he is big on is selling himself.


9 posted on 11/29/2009 9:53:44 PM PST by ntmxx (I am not so sure about this misdirection!)
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To: AKSurprise

Hopefully Huckabee considers the deaths worth the cost of making himself feel better.


10 posted on 11/29/2009 9:54:34 PM PST by VeniVidiVici (Keep your dog. Get rid of a Liberal.)
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To: AKSurprise

Has there been anything on why the investigation’s focused on that guy, and what connection he may have had to those poor cops?


11 posted on 11/29/2009 9:57:47 PM PST by VR-21
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To: AKSurprise

This is so bad. What a jerk.


12 posted on 11/29/2009 9:58:03 PM PST by Frantzie (Judge David Carter - democrat & dishonorable Marine like John Murtha.)
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To: AKSurprise

“Back then, Gov. Huckabee granted clemency to a disturbing number of people...”

Yep, and many went on to fulfill their destinies...way to go Huck!


13 posted on 11/29/2009 9:58:46 PM PST by BlessingsofLiberty (Obama, YOU LIE!!)
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To: AKSurprise

Now, Clemmons is a suspect. He’s facing charges in Pierce County for child rape, assaulting several deputies and malicious mischief. Court papers refer to him as saying he was the messiah and that he could fly. A relative said “Maurice is not in his right mind.”

Clemmons was released from prison six days ago on bond, even though there is a warrant for his arrest after escaping from parole in Arkansas.


14 posted on 11/29/2009 9:59:18 PM PST by Tigen (I shall raise you one .)
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To: AKSurprise

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/lakewoodshooting/index?tab=articles


15 posted on 11/29/2009 10:01:38 PM PST by RonDog
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To: AKSurprise

More proof that politicians really don’t give a damn about law abiding, tax paying folks. I can’t believe Fox ever hired this idiot, but now would be a good time to fire him!


16 posted on 11/29/2009 10:01:42 PM PST by Just Lori (What we have is a TOXIC government, and that aint no ASSET!!!!)
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To: ConservativeMind

Yup. He’s out of the running.


17 posted on 11/29/2009 10:06:15 PM PST by Theo (May Rome decrease and Christ increase.)
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To: AKSurprise

Any telegenic, evangelical, ex-governor’s around????

There may be an hour show available on Fox. Possible candidate could be female.


18 posted on 11/29/2009 10:06:30 PM PST by norge (The amiable dunce is back, wearing a skirt and high heels.)
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To: AKSurprise

JimRob posted a vanity a few days ago stating that FR does not support RINO’s and limo-Republicans.

This is a perfect example of why we do not and should not.

It is sheer PC idiocy to let hardened criminals roam our streets.

And Huckleberry Hound comes across as one of those PC Christians that believes if you just turn them loose, build them a house, and give them what they want that they’ll suddenly start loving those they enjoy attacking.

Law and order. Preservation of innocent life. Private property. Freedom. Defense. Civil liberties. Defense and preservation of American culture.

These are the bedrock issues. We abandon them at our own peril.


19 posted on 11/29/2009 10:07:23 PM PST by Ghost of Philip Marlowe (Prepare for survival.)
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To: FlyVet

Mike Huckabee’s political career is OVER!!!


20 posted on 11/29/2009 10:07:50 PM PST by no dems (ACORN: A Corrupt Organization Representing Non-whites)
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To: AKSurprise

Now he can write another book next year “A Simple Little Clemency Hearing”


21 posted on 11/29/2009 10:08:31 PM PST by bigbob
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To: Ghost of Philip Marlowe; All
JimRob posted a vanity a few days ago stating that FR does not support RINO’s and limo-Republicans.

What is JimRob's opinion of Sarah Palin? Hope it's favorable; I love her.
22 posted on 11/29/2009 10:09:08 PM PST by no dems (ACORN: A Corrupt Organization Representing Non-whites)
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To: no dems
Mike Huckabee’s political career is OVER!

Maybe, hopefully, it will mean an end to his boorish show on Fox News.

23 posted on 11/29/2009 10:10:09 PM PST by Jeff Gordon (Don't pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you.)
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To: AKSurprise

At the end of this report—instead at the beginning where it should be—it states that the original commutation was made on the basis of recommendations to Gov. Huckabee.

All governors make many commutations on the basis of recommendations. Whether there were meaningful contrary recommendations in this instance that were ignored remains to be seen.


24 posted on 11/29/2009 10:10:12 PM PST by mtntop3
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To: Jeff Gordon

25 posted on 11/29/2009 10:11:02 PM PST by icwhatudo ("laws requiring compulsory abortion could be sustained under the existing Constitution"Obama Adviser)
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To: AKSurprise; Admin Moderator
This really ought to be 'Breaking News'.

We'd allow it if a liberal governor did it, and conservatives ought to know about this.

26 posted on 11/29/2009 10:14:35 PM PST by The KG9 Kid
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To: AKSurprise

I see all the Romney-ites are out in force on this one. Too obvious.

The statement so far on Huck’s site:

He was recommended for and received a commutation of his original sentence from 1990, making him parole eligible and was paroled by the parole board once they determined he met the conditions at that time. He was arrested later for parole violation and taken back to prison to serve his full term, but prosecutors dropped the charges that would have held him. It appears that he has continued to have a string of criminal and psychotic behavior but was not kept incarcerated by either state.


27 posted on 11/29/2009 10:16:40 PM PST by deannadurbin
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To: AKSurprise

For once I’m going to enjoy watching a Republican get savaged inside the liberal media shark tank.


28 posted on 11/29/2009 10:20:18 PM PST by matt1234
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To: AKSurprise

And this from the Seattle Times:

Maurice Clemmons, the 37-year-old Tacoma man being sought for questioning in the killing this morning of four Lakewood police officers, has a long criminal record punctuated by violence, erratic behavior and concerns about his mental health.

Nine years ago, then-Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee granted clemency to Clemmons, commuting his lengthy prison sentence over the protests of prosecutors.

Clemmons’ criminal history includes at least five felony convictions in Arkansas and at least eight felony charges in Washington. The record also stands out for the number of times he has been released from custody despite questions about the danger he posed.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010385617_webmansought29.html

Huckaphony is so done. But there is also some blame to share by someone in Washington State who kept letting this guy walk.


29 posted on 11/29/2009 10:20:44 PM PST by NavyCanDo
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To: AKSurprise
Huckabee ... cited Clemmons' age at the time of the sentence [as grounds for the commutation].

This is the kind of thing you expect some bleeding heart liberal to say....

Oh, never mind.

30 posted on 11/29/2009 10:23:54 PM PST by freespirited (People talk about "too big to fail." Our government is too big to succeed. --Chris Chocola)
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To: ConservativeMind

Dude...Wouldn’t you rather have live cops and beat Huck the old fashioned way?


31 posted on 11/29/2009 10:25:59 PM PST by Mr. Silverback (We're right! We're free! And we'll fight! And you'll seeeeeeee!)
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To: deannadurbin

Huckabee’s cooked. We’ll see to that.


32 posted on 11/29/2009 10:26:06 PM PST by The KG9 Kid
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To: NavyCanDo

Odd that you would take an obviously one-sided and incomplete report from one of the liberal media—Seattle Times—to be the ultimate truth. This report, at least from what you have presented, totally lacks Gov. Huckabee’s response.

My surprise is that so many on this thread are so hot to digest these half-ass reports.


33 posted on 11/29/2009 10:32:34 PM PST by mtntop3
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To: mtntop3

Perhaps, but there’s a reason the sign on TRuman’s dexk read “The buck stops here.”


34 posted on 11/29/2009 10:32:53 PM PST by Mr. Silverback (We're right! We're free! And we'll fight! And you'll seeeeeeee!)
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To: The KG9 Kid

Bah humbug. This same kind of stuff was said during the primary season, and he still came in second behind McCain and ahead of Romney.


35 posted on 11/29/2009 10:33:01 PM PST by deannadurbin
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To: Mr. Silverback

Of course, but that can’t happen now, anyway. However, it is now possible to help show many of his supporters just how wrong The Huckster is in so many ways.

He”s a thorn in the side of conservatism, as he claims, with no proof, to be one.

At least this error in judgment may not be duplicated soon by other governors.


36 posted on 11/29/2009 10:33:47 PM PST by ConservativeMind (Hypocrisy: "Animal rightists" who eat meat & pen up pets while accusing hog farmers of cruelty.)
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To: ConservativeMind

Governors give commutations all the time. I’m sure you could look through the records of all present and past governors and find commutations that were made for criminals who re-offended.

The real problem is in the current justice system, which needs a complete overhaul.


37 posted on 11/29/2009 10:36:32 PM PST by deannadurbin
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To: icwhatudo

Who’s the other guy you show on Huck’s side?


38 posted on 11/29/2009 10:36:48 PM PST by tanuki (The only color of a leader that should matter is the color of his spine.)
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To: deannadurbin

It’s never his fault, Glen Green, Wayne Dumond, now this Clemmons guy. But please feel free to believe everything you read on Huckabee’s site. I hope no one he’s ever helped set free never comes after you or your family members. As you can see the criminals don’t tend to stay in Arkansas. Dumond’s victim was in Missouri, and the policemen were in Washington, not to mention the child that was raped in Washington. There are plenty more of them out there, criminals waiting for an opportunity.


39 posted on 11/29/2009 10:38:15 PM PST by jim35 (A racist is someone who is winning an argument with a liberal.)
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To: mtntop3

The buck stops with Huck. He’s the one responsible. Common sense would’ve and should’ve told him not to let a dangerous criminal like that back out onto the streets. Not all governors pull crap like that. Romney didn’t pardon anyone. Bet he sleeps better at night than Huck. If Huck still tries to harm this country even further by running for the White House again, he’ll have to wear two pairs of overlapping gloves on his hands just to cover up all the blood that will NEVER WASH OFF.

This is not just a political story about another stupid governor in Arkansas. This is a human story about a fat dirtbag who trusted a violent pig more than he trusted all the innocent law-abiding citizens and police officers out there just trying to live their lives. As far as American politicians go, Huck is as dangerous as they come with his wacko religious-left ideology.


40 posted on 11/29/2009 10:39:35 PM PST by billclintonwillrotinhell
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To: Just Lori

“I can’t believe Fox ever hired this idiot, but now would be a good time to fire him!”

Agreed, besides he’s boring and he sucks up to libs on his show. I can see lib butt kissing anywhere. I would like to see Michelle Malkin or Laura Ingram have that time slot.


41 posted on 11/29/2009 10:44:57 PM PST by jim35 (A racist is someone who is winning an argument with a liberal.)
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To: Tigen
“Maurice is not in his right mind.”

You're darn tootin' about that.

From the little bit I've read, this guy has nowhere NEAR enough fries to make up a Happy Meal.

42 posted on 11/29/2009 10:46:43 PM PST by john in springfield (One has to belong to the intelligentsia to believe such things.No ordinary man could be such a fool.)
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To: no dems

No one at this point thinks Palin is a RINO.


43 posted on 11/29/2009 10:48:45 PM PST by DB
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To: billclintonwillrotinhell

Clemmons reportedly is wounded and cornered.... just hope no one else has to get hurt before this POS is put in the ground.......

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010386387_webleschihome29m.html


44 posted on 11/29/2009 10:53:51 PM PST by Enchante (Obama to Jihad Terrorists: Come to NYC and Propagate Your Message - I Am Only Too Happy To Help!)
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To: deannadurbin
The justice system has plenty wrong with it. However, liberal governors are the ones who show compassion by making society pay.

The “need” of a governor to let anyone out of their deemed punishment is nearly nil. Therefore, each criminal let go is vouched for by only the governor—without his action, the perp would come up for parole when a judge who witnessed the trial said it would be okay.

The Huckster, unfortunately, thinks it is compassion to let violent rapists and murders go free to make himself look “nice.”

45 posted on 11/29/2009 10:53:55 PM PST by ConservativeMind (Hypocrisy: "Animal rightists" who eat meat & pen up pets while accusing hog farmers of cruelty.)
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To: AKSurprise

There’s nothing wrong with letting cop killing child rapists out of prison, so long as it’s to make room for people who didn’t buy health insurance.


46 posted on 11/29/2009 10:54:55 PM PST by spodefly (This is my tag line. There are many like it, but this one is mine.)
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To: AKSurprise

Mike Huckabee was here.

47 posted on 11/29/2009 11:02:52 PM PST by chris37
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To: jim35

That means there were many others who could have stopped this guy but didn’t, in multiple states. To put it all on Huck’s head is unfair and no doubt will be responded to by Huck personally in the morning.


48 posted on 11/29/2009 11:07:08 PM PST by deannadurbin
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To: ConservativeMind
The Huckster just ended his political future!!

this is the only silver lining i see in this tragedy... of course, Huckabee didn't take responsibility for commuting the sentence... he blamed it on the "system."

49 posted on 11/29/2009 11:07:47 PM PST by latina4dubya ( self-proclaimed tequila snob)
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To: Enchante

Thanks for the update. If he’s bleeding, I hope he’s been bleeding all day from a shot by that 4th officer who was able to confront him. And I hope the bleeding continues until there’s no more blood. It’s sad, but I now find myself hoping for every violent criminal to die before entering the justice system. That’s the only way to avoid prison escapes and Huckabee-style assaults on the innocent public.


50 posted on 11/29/2009 11:08:18 PM PST by billclintonwillrotinhell
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