As the suspect in the ambush execution of four police officers remains on the run, questions are swirling as to how and why Maurice Clemmons — an ex-con who at one time faced more than 100 years behind bars — was allowed to live free.
Clemmons, 37, of Tacoma, Wash., has an extensive, violent criminal history marked by volatile and unstable behavior, according to court records and news reports.
His criminal history includes at least five felony convictions in Arkansas and at least eight felony charges in Washington, according to The Seattle Times. He had a lengthy prison sentence commuted in 2000 by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who cited Clemmons’ youth.
Rhonda Sharp, a spokeswoman for the Arkansas Parole Board, said then-Gov. Huckabee commuted Clemmons’ 108-year prison term to a sentence of 47 years, five months and 19 days.
“[Huckabee's commutation] made him eligible for parole at that point,” Sharp told FoxNews.com on Monday.
Clemmons later violated his parole and was returned to prison until his release in 2004.
[More]
Updates:
2:51 pm EST, November 30th, 2009 – In The Memory of The Lakewood Officers
2:53 pm EST, November 30th, 2009 — Lakewood Police Department
Notes:
There’s not much I can say about this at the moment. The jerk is still on the run. For now, a couple of links you can go to in order to express your condolences to the families involved.
The answer is simple: L-I-B-E-R-A-L-I-S-M
Yep, violent crime rampant in the States, part of the culture alright. Not in Canada though……as long as you ignor Mayerthorpe, or the territories, or the Yukon or Quebec etc. etc. The USA has 30 times our population. So if there were 300 million Canadians what would our crime rate be? Somewhere around 30 times higher sound about right? America is making some impressive progress in crime fighting. Do some research, maybe start with New York. Let he who is without sin………
http://www.city-journal.org/html/16_3_ny_cops.html
My condolences to their families and I hope the scumbag who is responsible succumbs to lead poisoning sooner rather than later.
CNN reports that a former (Republican) governor pardoned this very sick individual (Hucklebee?)
It would appear my hope has been fulfilled.
http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/12/01/washington-shooting-suspect-dead.html
Re #4. Apparently CNN still has a few die hard believers. FYI Huckabee commuted Clemmons sentence, he did not pardon him. Being aware of the circumstances that led up to that decision Huckabee’s involvement becomes a moot point. This guy was still on the street (and 4 police officers died needlessly) because 2 judges granted him a cheapo bail even after he raped a 12 yr old girl (among other serious outstanding felony charges). He should have been in custody. He was still on the street (and 4 police officers died needlessly) because a prosecutors office screwed up before that and failed to file charges that would have gauranteed he would have been in the slammer instead of out shooting police officers. The decision to commute was not out of line. Fox interviewed Govenor Huckabee live on air last evening about this pardon and asked him point blank to explain his decision, which he did. Just to be fair (after hanging some garlic around my neck) I went over to the CNN site and could not find a similar interview. Back to Fox.
http://video.foxnews.com/12094770/controversial-clemency
Reports are circulating regarding Huckabee’s clemency grant trashing his political career for good. Now, the sharp focus should be on the respective ‘judges’ decision’ that being granting bail for heinous crime. The main thrust being ‘wrist slapping justice’ should end asap. This WAS a preventable tragedy and the nation loses those who ‘serve and protect’ while the judgments facilitated the killer’s rampage. Condolences to the affected families, they’ve paid the ultimate price. Hopefully, this will remain a ‘screaming political issue’ for the solutions needed — meaningful sentences that involve keeping these criminals behind bars or on death row where appropriate.