Republicon Governor Pardon's Murderers

By Douglas Stanglin, USA TODAY

Updated 1h 23m ago

An uproar over some of the 200 pardons -- including murder cases -- granted by outgoing Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour has prompted some lawmakers to propose bills to curb pardons by future governors, The Clarion-Ledger reports.

Relatives of crime victims had voiced outrage Monday after it was revealed that the Republican governor, on his last days in office, had pardoned four convicted murderers. Those men had worked at the governor's mansion as part of a prison trusty program.

A list released by the Mississippi Secretary of State's Office on Tuesday showed some of the convicted killers were pardoned, while others were given medical or conditional releases. Barbour had released five other convicted killers in 2008, the Associated Press reports.

"My reaction was like everybody else's: It's like, what? It's shocking, just by the sheer number," said House Minority Leader Bobby Moak, a Democrat. "It takes people aback."
Barbour has declined to comment on the pardons.
Among those pardoned were Earnest Scott Favre, older brother of retired NFL quarterback Brett Favre, convicted of driving drunk and causing his friend's death.
Two bills sponsored by Rep. David Baria, a Democrat, would require a public hearing before a felony offender can be pardoned and will preclude those convicted of capital murder from serving as trusties at the governor's mansion.
It is a custom in Mississippi for governors to pardon those trusties who serve at the historic residence.
"There is no doubt that, with everything swirling around right now, hopefully, the Legislature has a better opportunity to pass this legislation," Moak said.