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"Why I commuted Maurice Clemmons's sentence"

By Douglas A. Berman

The title of this post is the headline of this new commentary authored by former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee and published in the Washington Post.  Here are a few notable snippets: Nine years ago, the name Maurice Clemmons crossed my desk. I commuted his sentence from 108 years to 47 years. I take full responsibility for my actions of nine years ago.  I acted on the facts presented to me in 2000.  If I could have possibly known what Clemmons would do nine years later, I obviously would have made a different decision.  If I only had the same information I had then, I would make the same decision.... If the decision is made to grant any form of clemency (the broad term for a commutation or a full pardon), the governor gives notice of intent, and the file is sent to the prosecutor, judge, law enforcement officials, the attorney general and the secretary of state, as well as to the news media...continue to full post

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on December 07, 2009 (boomark / email).