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...
The prosecutor opposed the clemency, the parole board supported it. Huckabee took a pass and let the parole board go forward. Hucabee virtually voted, “present”. Huckabee beleives in restorative justice and rehabilitation. Huckabee is an idiot.
You can condemn Huckabee if you want, but you must also condemn the philosophy behind the clemency, restorative justice. Whatever Huckabee did, WA state doubled down on. This murder took place in WA, six days after WA state refused to honor a fugitive warrant from Arkansas and ignored the eight felony charges facing Clemmons.