01-12-2012, 04:18 PM
Jackson, Mississippi (CNN) -- Mississippi's attorney general said Thursday that the state may have to issue a nationwide manhunt after four pardoned murderers left jail and "hit the road running."
"We'll catch 'em. It's just a matter of time," Attorney General Jim Hood told CNN.
The four were among nearly 200 convicted criminals to whom Gov. Haley Barbour granted clemency or a pardon in a final act before leaving office this week.
The governor's actions have set off a legal firestorm in Mississippi.
A judge issued a temporary injunction Wednesday forbidding the release of any more prisoners. And the process of releasing 21 other inmates has been halted, said Hood, who believes the former governor put people at risk and sought the court order.
The pardons include the four convicted murderers and a convicted armed robber who were released Sunday. The five now must contact prison officials on a daily basis as their fate is adjudicated, but their whereabouts are unknown, Hood said.
A court hearing on the matter will be held January 23.
Hood said the state cannot issue an arrest warrant for the five who were released because they have not committed a crime.
"We have not found any law that will support that," Hood told CNN. "They have a legal document saying they are free to go.
"There are some tough legal issues we are trying to address," he said. "This is such a unique problem that no law has ever had to address yet. We're having to make new law here."
well which is it?? can they haul them back in or not?? yes, they are setting precedent. i hope it overthrows that old good ol' boy bullshit.
"We'll catch 'em. It's just a matter of time," Attorney General Jim Hood told CNN.
The four were among nearly 200 convicted criminals to whom Gov. Haley Barbour granted clemency or a pardon in a final act before leaving office this week.
The governor's actions have set off a legal firestorm in Mississippi.
A judge issued a temporary injunction Wednesday forbidding the release of any more prisoners. And the process of releasing 21 other inmates has been halted, said Hood, who believes the former governor put people at risk and sought the court order.
The pardons include the four convicted murderers and a convicted armed robber who were released Sunday. The five now must contact prison officials on a daily basis as their fate is adjudicated, but their whereabouts are unknown, Hood said.
A court hearing on the matter will be held January 23.
Hood said the state cannot issue an arrest warrant for the five who were released because they have not committed a crime.
"We have not found any law that will support that," Hood told CNN. "They have a legal document saying they are free to go.
"There are some tough legal issues we are trying to address," he said. "This is such a unique problem that no law has ever had to address yet. We're having to make new law here."
well which is it?? can they haul them back in or not?? yes, they are setting precedent. i hope it overthrows that old good ol' boy bullshit.