Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares announced Thursday that President Biden has pardoned the “Waverly Two” who admitted responsibility for the 1998 murder of a Sussex County police officer. He strongly criticized the president.
“I am beyond outraged that President Biden has accepted responsibility for the brutal murders of Ferrone Claiborne and Terrence Richardson (a hero and dedicated servant of our community, Officer Allen Gibson). It is completely unbelievable that we would announce a pardon for these two individuals,” Youngkin said in a statement. statement.
“What makes this even more unconscionable is that U.S. Attorney Biden recommended to the White House not to commute these sentences because they are violent criminals.”
“The pain and sadness this pardon will cause the Gibson family is unimaginable,” Yonkin said.
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Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin (left) and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares were both acquitted in the 1998 murder of a Sussex County police officer but sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday. He issued a statement criticizing President Biden for granting amnesty to “Waverly Two.” drug trafficking crime. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images | MANDEL NGAN/Pool via Reuters)
“Knowing that those who took Officer Gibson's life will walk free is not only a grave injustice, but a heartbreaking blow to those who continue to mourn his sacrifice. It's a despicable thing and a tough day for justice and for the families of the victims. Trust that our system will hold the guilty accountable,'' Youngkin said.
Youngkin's office said Claiborne and Richardson admitted responsibility for Gibson's brutal murder in Sussex County Circuit Court.
“The evidence presented and the details surrounding Officer Gibson's death are extremely disturbing and tragic,” Youngkin said.
Youngkin's office said then-President Obama refused to grant clemency to Claiborne and Richardson.
Under current conditions, both men are scheduled to be released in July.
“This is a despicable act. I am beyond outraged and in complete disbelief that President Biden would announce a pardon for these two violent criminals,” Youngkin wrote in a post on X.
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Mr. Miyares echoed Mr. Yonkin's disgust and said his office will continue to seek justice for Mr. Gibson's family.
“I'm outraged that Biden pardoned a police officer killer and forced the fallen officer's child Crissana to relive this trauma. Shame on you Joe Biden and your talented staff. May the memory of Officer Allen Gibson and his family haunt you forever,” Miyares wrote in a post about X.
Miyares also shared a statement from Crisanna Gibson, who was outraged by Biden's decision.
“I am completely outraged by what happened. My heart is broken knowing that the men who murdered my father will be released and free to walk the streets. This is a huge miscarriage of justice and I am devastated. “I am completely disgusted by the outgoing administration,” she wrote. “The Virginia Attorney General’s Office has worked tirelessly to keep these murderers behind bars, and I am forever grateful for their dedication and hard work. I am deeply disappointed in the expectations of my family, my father, and the entire law enforcement community.”Neither my family nor I supported the release of Mr. Richardson or Mr. Claiborne, and the outgoing Joe Biden We condemn this decision as a result of the president's failure and the abuse of the judicial system by the Democratic Party. ”
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On April 25, 1998, Allen Gibson, 25, woke up to go to work as a Waverly police officer and was shot with his own service weapon in the woods behind an apartment complex, Miyares said. He said he did not return home.
“He put on a bulletproof vest and said goodbye to his 8-year-old daughter Crissana. Officer Gibson discovered Terrence Richardson and Ferrone Claiborne conducting a drug transaction in the back of the apartment. The men Officer Gibson attacked Officer Gibson, and Officer Richardson disarmed him and fatally shot him in the abdomen, just below his bulletproof vest,'' Miyares said.
Officials said both Claiborne and Richardson were named suspects in Gibson's murder and were arrested shortly after Gibson's death.
Both men are serving life sentences on remaining drug trafficking charges, but were acquitted by a federal jury of murder and firearms charges.
On Friday morning, Biden announced commuting the sentences of about 2,500 prisoners as his presidential term draws to a close.
This sentence reduction is aimed at people convicted of non-violent drug offenses who are “serving disproportionately long sentences” compared to what they would receive if sentenced under today's law. There is.
However, Biden has faced bipartisan criticism over who he decided to pardon or commute the sentences of.
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In late December, he chose to commute the sentences of 37 of 40 federal death row inmates, helping them avoid the death penalty and instead sentenced them to life in prison without parole.
Mr. Biden also “The largest single-day pardon'' On December 12, he commuted the sentences to 1,500 and granted amnesty to 39 others. Most were already serving sentences in home confinement for decisions made during the coronavirus era.
Elizabeth Pritchett of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Story tips and ideas can be sent to [email protected].