03-08-2012, 09:19 PM
another bunch of senile good-old-boy assclowns:
(CNN) -- Mississippi's Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the controversial pardons of more than 200 convicts that former Gov. Haley Barbour granted on his way out of office, rejecting a challenge by the state's attorney general.
In a 77-page, 6-3 ruling Thursday afternoon, the court found the pardons "may not be set aside or voided by the judicial branch." Attorney General Jim Hood had argued that no proper notice had been posted in newspapers, but the court found the final decision rested "solely with the governor."
"We are mindful that the victims and their families are entitled to be interested in the subject matter of this case, and they are undoubtedly -- and understandably -- concerned with its outcome," Justice Jess Dickinson wrote for the majority. But in the cases before them, "It fell to the governor alone to decide whether the Constitution's publication requirement was met."
Randy Walker, who survived a shooting by one of the men who was freed, told CNN sister network HLN that he was "totally in shock."
Gov. Barbour pardons upheld by court
"I thought it was pretty clear-cut that the constitution pretty clearly says one thing, and the justices went another way, as did Barbour," Walker said.
In a statement issued Thursday afternoon, Barbour said the court "reaffirmed more than a century of settled law in our state," but acknowledged that his decision "has been difficult" for many of the inmates' victims.
But in a dissenting opinion, Justice Michael Randolph called the decision "a stunning victory for some lawless convicted felons, and an immeasurable loss for the law-abiding citizens of our state."
(CNN) -- Mississippi's Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the controversial pardons of more than 200 convicts that former Gov. Haley Barbour granted on his way out of office, rejecting a challenge by the state's attorney general.
In a 77-page, 6-3 ruling Thursday afternoon, the court found the pardons "may not be set aside or voided by the judicial branch." Attorney General Jim Hood had argued that no proper notice had been posted in newspapers, but the court found the final decision rested "solely with the governor."
"We are mindful that the victims and their families are entitled to be interested in the subject matter of this case, and they are undoubtedly -- and understandably -- concerned with its outcome," Justice Jess Dickinson wrote for the majority. But in the cases before them, "It fell to the governor alone to decide whether the Constitution's publication requirement was met."
Randy Walker, who survived a shooting by one of the men who was freed, told CNN sister network HLN that he was "totally in shock."
Gov. Barbour pardons upheld by court
"I thought it was pretty clear-cut that the constitution pretty clearly says one thing, and the justices went another way, as did Barbour," Walker said.
In a statement issued Thursday afternoon, Barbour said the court "reaffirmed more than a century of settled law in our state," but acknowledged that his decision "has been difficult" for many of the inmates' victims.
But in a dissenting opinion, Justice Michael Randolph called the decision "a stunning victory for some lawless convicted felons, and an immeasurable loss for the law-abiding citizens of our state."