Virginia Gov. Glenn Yonkin and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miares blasted President Biden after he granted clemency to the “Waverly Two” Pleaded guilty to the 1998 murder of a Sussex County police officer.
“I am outraged and in complete disbelief that President Biden would announce clemency for Philone Clyburn and Terrence Richardson, two men who pleaded guilty to the brutal killing of Al Officer Len Gibson is in charge, a hero and loyal servant to our community.
“Even more unreasonable is that Biden U.S. Attorney advised the White House not to commute the sentences of these men because they are violent offenders.”
“The pain and grief this leniency has caused the Gibson family is unimaginable,” Youngkin said.
Biden commutes nearly 2,500 sentences in final days of presidency
Virginia Governor Glenn Yonkin (left) and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miares both issued statements criticizing President Biden for granting clemency to the “Waverly duo.” The two men were acquitted of the 1998 murder of a Sussex County police officer but were sentenced to life in prison in 2017. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images | MANDEL NGAN/Pool via REUTERS)
“Knowing that those who took Officer Gibson’s life will be free is not only a grave injustice – it’s a heartbreaking blow to those who continue to mourn his sacrifice. It’s despicable ;This is a grim day for justice and the families of those killed.
Clyburn and Richardson pleaded guilty in Sussex County Circuit Court to Gibson’s brutal killing, Youngkin’s office said.
“The evidence presented and the details surrounding Officer Gibson’s death are deeply disturbing and tragic,” Youngkin said.
Youngkin’s office said then-President Obama refused to grant clemency to Clyburn and Richardson.
Under current terms, both men are due to be released in July.
“This is despicable. I am outraged and in complete disbelief that President Biden would announce clemency for these two violent criminals,” Yangkin wrote in a post on X.
Full list of Biden’s clemency, commutation beneficiaries released
Miares echoed Youngkin’s disgust and said his office will continue to seek justice for Gibson’s family.
“I’m outraged that Biden is granting leniency to a police killer and forcing the fallen officer’s child, Crisana, to relive this trauma. Shame on you, Joe Biden and your staff. Best wishes to Officer Allen Gibson and his family The memory lingers in everyone’s mind.
Miares also shared a statement from Krisana Gibson, who said she was outraged by Biden’s decision.
“I am outraged by what happened. It breaks my heart to know that the man who killed my father is about to be released from prison and walk the streets free. This was a huge miscarriage of justice and I am deeply moved by it.” “Absolutely disgusted that the Virginia Attorney General’s Office worked tirelessly to put these killers behind bars, and I am forever grateful for their dedication and hard work. I feel sorry for the shameful Biden administration for failing my family, my family. My father and the entire law enforcement community are deeply disappointed. My family and I do not support the release of either Richardson or Clyburn, and we condemn this decision by failed outgoing President Joe Biden and the Democratic abuse of the justice system.
Democratic ‘squad’ praises Biden for sparing killers from ‘racist’ death penalty in 11th hour clemency action
On April 25, 1998, 25-year-old Allen Gibson woke up to go to work as a Waverly police officer and died after being shot with his own service-style weapon in the woods behind an apartment complex, Miares said. Never came home again.
“He put on his bulletproof vest and said goodbye to his 8-year-old daughter, Crissana. Officer Gibson found Terrence Richardson and Ferrone Claiborne conducting a drug deal behind an apartment building. The men attacked Officer Gibson, Richardson disarmed Officer Gibson and disarmed Officer Gibson.
Clyburn and Richardson were named suspects shortly after Gibson’s death and were arrested for Gibson’s murder, officials said.
Both men were still serving life sentences on remaining drug charges but were acquitted by a federal jury on murder and firearms charges.
On Friday morning, Biden announced that he would commute the sentences of nearly 2,500 prisoners toward the end of his presidential term.
The reduced sentences apply to people convicted of non-violent drug offenses “who are serving disproportionately long sentences” compared to what they would have been sentenced under today’s law.
However, Biden has been criticized by both parties for his decisions on who to pardon or commute.
Click here to get the Fox News app
In late December, he chose to commute the sentences of 37 of 40 men on federal death row, helping them escape execution, and sentenced them to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Biden also boasted that he had completed “The largest single-day amnesty” On Dec. 12, he commuted the sentences of 1,500 people and pardoned 39 others, most of whom were already serving home sentences for decisions made during the COVID-19 era.
Fox News Digital’s Elizabeth Pritchett contributed to this report.
Stepheny Price is a contributor to Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Story tips and ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com
