January 23rd, 2012
12:16 AM ET

Hearing on Mississippi pardons set for Monday

Four convicted murderers who were released from prison earlier this month after receiving pardons are among those who could have their fate determined in a Mississippi court Monday.

In his final days in office, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour pardoned the four convicted murderers - David Gatlin, Joseph Ozment, Charles Hooker and Anthony McCray.

All four were released from prison January 8. They were serving life sentences and worked as inmate trusties at the governor's mansion, the Mississippi Department of Corrections said. Trusties are inmates who can receive additional rights through good behavior.

On January 11, Hinds County Circuit Judge Tomie Green granted state Attorney General Jim Hood's request for an injunction forbidding the release of any more prisoners pardoned or given clemency by Barbour.

Green issued the injunction because it appeared some pardons did not meet the procedural requirement that pardon requests must be published 30 days prior to being granted. At the hearing, the inmates must prove they met the 30-day publication requirement.

FULL STORY
Post by:
Filed under: Crime • Mississippi • Politics • U.S.
soundoff (8 Responses)
  1. Condor

    The governer has a family, he pardons 4 convicted murderers, and he has no concern for his own life or his familys id rather cook my own meals of even wipe my own butt

    January 23, 2012 at 1:42 am | Report abuse |
  2. rooney©

    I know they're murderers and it was probably wrong of Barbour to pardon them in the first place, but it seems cruel to pardon them and then take it right back.

    January 23, 2012 at 2:12 am | Report abuse |
  3. Howard D

    I fail to see why we cannot execute the nastiest of the nasty ones as long as there is no question of guilt at all.
    .
    As for the sleazy governor, giving white fellers a pardon while ignoring the vast majority of blacks in the prison population is so pathetic and disgusting, he should be put in prison himself.

    Some people just shouldn't be allowed to work in any (ANY) government job!!!! AT ALL!!! EVER!!

    January 23, 2012 at 2:54 am | Report abuse |
  4. Joey Isotta-Fraschini©™

    @ Howard D:
    I agree with you somewhat.
    The former Governor should not have pardoned any murderers, and no murderers should ever have been working in the Governor's Mansion.
    I have been a guest in that house. I had no idea that the inmates serving there were murderers.

    January 23, 2012 at 5:32 am | Report abuse |
  5. Philip

    Convicted criminals who have had their convictions overturned will be needing places to stay. We only know what these men were convicted of. Oftentimes, a charge like raype or child abuse may be dropped during plea bargaining in order to secure a murder conviction. If you support Presidential, etc. pardons, you should be required to let these free men stay at your house as they adjust to society. If you think that pardons should be abolished, your hands are clean.

    January 23, 2012 at 7:24 am | Report abuse |
  6. Joey Isotta-Fraschini©™

    Philip, you are persuasive, but not 100%.
    There is a very good argument against all executive pardons. I might join you in arguing against all pardons, but not for motives based on your childhood molestation.

    January 23, 2012 at 8:40 am | Report abuse |
  7. Bob

    Yeah, Republicans sure are tough on crime. Just like Mike Huckabee and all the rapists and murders he let go once they "found Jesus". I didn't know Jesus was missing.

    January 23, 2012 at 7:18 pm | Report abuse |
  8. Anto

    What a pleasure to meet soomnee who thinks so clearly

    April 22, 2012 at 8:20 pm | Report abuse |
« Back to main