Beebe to Pardon 26
posted 5:42 pm Mon January 14, 2008 - Little Rock
Governor Beebe has denied clemency to a blues musician who had a hit song and is now in prison for drugs, bribery and other offenses, along with a Governor's Mansion trusty convicted of killing his wife.
Monday, Beebe announced his intent to pardon 26 people and denied clemency or didn't take action on the applications of 54 people, including Calvin Leavy and Danny Edward Verdict.
Leavy, who had the hit "Cummins Prison Farm" in 1970, is being held in the Jefferson County Jail and Correctional Facility, serving a 75-year term.
Verdict is serving life in prison for his 1992 conviction in the shooting death of Marcella Verdict.
A governor's office spokesman would not explain why the men were denied clemency but said Beebe looks at each case individually.
Beebe has now issued 66 pardons or commutations since taking office in January 2007; his predecessor and now presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee issued 1,033 pardons and commutations during 10½ years in office.
Leavy was convicted in 1992 in Pulaski County of operating a continuing criminal enterprise, delivery of a controlled substance, public servant bribery and use of a communication facility--a pager--in the commission of a felony.
Latest Comment on Beebe to Pardon 26
conwayarkie
9:32 am on 01/15/08
Be careful who you choose Gov. Beebe. If you choose the wrong people Arkansas will hate you forever. If the people you choose ever commit another crime that is a felony you will have it follow you. Just look at Huckabee and according to Bubbahollis, Bill Clinton as well.
Market, you do realize that a pardon is the only non-judicial way of controlling the judicial branch of our government and that it is part of the checks and balances system don't you. Also if you reference past Governors and Presidents in the past there have been thousands of pardons a year until the last 75 years. Your wish is coming true just give it time. If you really check into it the number seems to drop a little more with each decade.
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