It seems that Mike Huckabee, as governor of Arkansas, had an evangelical friend, a Pastor Jay D. Cole, who also had a friend in prison, Wayne DuMond, on a rape conviction.
But the convict was "born again," and that was enough for Huckabee to push for parole.
Bad call!
The result was rather disastrous.
A little more than 10 years ago, the paths of these three men merged at the state capital in Little Rock, where Huckabee was the new governor. With Cole's urging, and with DuMond insisting he was "born again," Huckabee played a key role in setting free a rapist who was supposed to serve many more years, say three of the seven members of the state board that paroled DuMond.
After being released, DuMond moved to Missouri, where he suffocated the mother of three in a Kansas City suburb. Police suspect that he killed another woman there, as well.
Story not online yet at http://www.washingtonpost.com
And if that weren't enough, Huckabee is not exactly forthcoming on his role in the episode:
Though he acknowledged discussing the case with the state parole board, Huckabee said that conversation was "simply part of a broader discussion" initiated at the request of the board chairman. "I did not ask them to do anything," he said.
Three board members recalled it differently. They said Huckabee raised the issue of DuMond's release, asking to discuss the matter with them in a closed session. They said his religious beliefs, and the influence of the evangelical community from which he sprung, drove him.
Huckabee wants to put it all on the parole board, but ...
"We felt pressured by him," said board member Ermer Pondexter. "I felt compelled to do it. ... It was a favor for the governor."
Looking back, she added, "I regret it."
Another board member, Deborah Springer Suttlar, said Huckabee did not mince his feelings about DuMond. "He wanted him out," she said.
DuMond was convicted of raping a 17-year-old cheerleader in 1984. He was sentenced to life plus 20 years.
Bill Clinton, as Arkansas governor, refused to help DuMond. But Huckabee had faith. ...
Huckabee said the DuMond case was already "on my desk" when he became governor in July, 1996. He announced that he was considering a commutation. Later, he acknowledged, he wrote a letter to the prisoner saying parole was a better option.
"Dear Wayne. ... My desire is that you be released from prison," the governor wrote. "I feel now that parole is the best way. ... "
The rape victim, Ashley Stevens, became enraged. She and the prosecutor, Fletcher Long, met with Huckabee at the capitol. They warned him that DuMond would strike again.
Well I am all for compassion, but it looks like Huckabee is just plain blinded by his religion. Anyone who claims to be "born again" gets a pass, I guess.