You don’t get it, Huckabee was operating under restorative justice and released the guy under the recommendation of the parole board because of the man’s youth at the time of conviction.
Since then, the man has been a constant re-offender and was a fugitive from Arkansas, yet WA state had arrested him eight more times and let him go eight times, even though he was still facing those charges. If you are going to condemn Huckabee’s actions, you must also condemn WA state’s handling of the man, which was much more recent. You must condemn the thinking that put this man back on the street so many times.
From Michelle Malkin’s site:
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.
Clemmons had been in jail in Pierce County for the past several months on a pending charge of second-degree rape of a child.
He was released from custody just six days ago, even though he was wanted on a fugitive warrant out of Arkansas and was staring at eight felony charges in all out of Washington state.
Huckabee confused his position as governor with his former occupation. He let many violent criminals loose.
It goes back to the lack of good judgment.
http://www.arkansasleader.com/frontstories/st_06_23_04/huckabee.html
Huckabee, prosecutors go on offensive
___They trade jabs over sentencing, pardoning of killers, other thugs
___Several prosecutors around the state are upset with Gov. Huckabee for grant- ing clemency to violent criminals, but he is blaming the prosecutors for often not seeking the maximum penalty and keeping felons locked up longer.
___Until now, Huckabee has refused to comment on his controversial policy of making violent prisoners eligible for parole– they include murderers, armed robbers and rapists, who often return to a life of crime after they’re freed – but in a statement to The Leader this week, he lashed out at prosecutors for not doing more to keep prisoners behind bars – to which Pulaski County Prosecuting Attor-ney Larry Jegley had this response: “That’s a load of baloney.”
___ “I’m offended as a prosecutor and as a citizen. He can blame the prosecutors, but ultimately he’s the man responsible,” Jegley says. “He’s the only one who can sign on the dotted line.
___ “All he has to do is look in the mirror and say, ‘I let (convicted rapist) Wayne DuMond go free who then killed at least once and probably twice.’”
___ Jegley says the governor ignores the will of the people when he reduces a life sentence without parole that was handed down by a jury.
___ “He has obviously disregarded the jury’s decision. It’s a crying shame that a sitting governor would be so insensitive to victims’ right and disregard the system,” says Jegley, who points to several clemency cases where felons went free and then committed more crimes.
___ In addition, Jegley, Saline County Prosecuting Attorney Robert Herzfeld and others have accused Huckabee of violating the state Constitution when he commutes sentences without explanation. The Constitution requires the governor to give reasons why he grants clemency to criminals.
___ “He doesn’t do it,” insists Herzfeld, who recently had a clemency overturned because Huckabee did not explain why he commuted a murderer’s life sentence.
and there’s more at the link...
Nice going Huck. That’s five dead so far, unless someone forged your signatures on the clemency papers.