In his waning days as governor of Mississippi, Haley Barbour showed just how warped his sense of justice really is. He pardoned 14 convicted murderers--including one of the most cold-blooded murderers I've ever read about, anywhere.
"I feel like my safety is in jeopardy," Randy Walker, who was shot and wounded by convicted killer David Gatlin, said Wednesday. "I wonder if he's going to finish what he's started."
Gatlin walked into a trailer in 1993 where his estranged wife, Tammy Ellis, lived and shot her in the head as she held her 6-week-old baby in her arms. Walker, the woman's friend, survived a gunshot wound to the head. Gatlin was convicted of murder, aggravated assault and burglary of a residence.
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"I'm married and have a family again," Walker said. "I feel the safety for them is an issue. Anybody that might be with me at the time that he decides to do something would be in jeopardy."
What makes this an even bigger travesty is that, unless I'm very wrong, Barbour didn't even bother to address the case of Jamie and Gladys Scott, who without a doubt were victims of one of the biggest miscarriages of justice in American history. For those who don't know, the Scott sisters were sentenced to life in prison for a nonviolent robbery that only netted a few hundred bucks. Even more outrageous--it's clear not just beyond all reasonable doubt, but beyond ALL doubt, that the Scott sisters are innocent. The star witness in that case was a 14-year-old boy who was threatened with rape in prison if he didn't testify against them, and wasn't even allowed to read the affadavit. And yet, Barbour wouldn't even consider a pardon because they didn't express guilt or remorse. Um, Haley? You don't express remorse for a crime you didn't commit.
For those who don't know, the Scotts were paroled this time last year on condition that Gladys donate a kidney to Jamie, who is suffering from kidney failure. Never mind that there is no guarantee that Gladys will even be compatible. Also, they have to pay the state of Florida $52 a month for the rest of their lives. Meanwhile, 14 convicted murderers get out of jail free and clear. Beyond disgraceful.
3:17 PM PT: Lorinda Pike reveals in the comments that there might actually be some recourse. Turns out that some of the pardon requests weren't published 30 days in advance, as required by the state constitution. State attorney general Jim Hood is taking this to court.