LA Governor orders review of clemency for 56 death row inmates, reopening old wounds.
The Democrat governor of Louisiana has taken a controversial step by ordering a clemency review of 56 out of 57 inmates on death row, including a man convicted of a heinous crime against a 4-year-old girl. This decision comes after the 56 inmates filed applications, sparking a heated debate.
Governor John Bel Edwards made this move in response to the advisory opinion of State Attorney General Jeff Landry, who is the leading GOP challenger in the upcoming November elections. Landry urged the state’s parole board, all of whom were appointed by Edwards, to consider the applications as non-viable. He argued that the board should adhere to its policy, which requires clemency requests to be made within one year of appeal rulings, unless there are extenuating circumstances like an imminent execution date. Landry pointed out that the execution dates for these prisoners were not imminent.
In his opinion, Landry wrote, “The broad and death row inmates, reopening old wounds.”>ill-defined waiver
in (the rules) ostensibly empowers the board to repeal portions of its own rules and enact new ones at will, on an ad-hoc basis, and without any notice to the public.” This statement was reported by The Advocate in an article.The hearing of clemency applications submitted by death row prisoners in June, where they requested life sentences instead of execution, was postponed by Louisiana’s Board of Pardons and Committee in late July.
Governor Edwards, in a letter to the parole board, emphasized the need for mercy in considering these applications. He stated, “Over the last 20 years in Louisiana, there have been six exonerations and more than 50 reversals of sentences in capital cases.” This highlights the importance of careful review and consideration.
However, Attorney General Landry criticized the governor’s actions, accusing him of trying to circumvent the constitutional pardon and parole system. He said in an interview with NOLA, ”Every one of those people on death row has had a jury of their peers convict them not once but twice.”
Loren Lampert, the executive director of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association, expressed his disapproval of Edwards’ action, stating that it is “inappropriate and a direct affront to the victims and their families.”
Echoing Landry’s sentiments, Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore III, a Democrat, said, “Because of the governor’s request today, deep wounds have been re-opened yet again for victims who thought this issue was decided. When will this emotional roller coaster for these victims end?”
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