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November 29, 2009

Huckabee Paroled Commuted Cop Killer

The Seattle Times has identified a suspect in today's shooting of four Lakewood, WA police officers in a local coffee shop:

A 37-year-old Tacoma man, Maurice Clemmons, is being sought for questioning in the execution-style shooting of four Lakewood police officers this morning, according to two law-enforcement sources.

Clemmons, who was recently released from jail, has an extensive criminal record in Pierce County and Arkansas, court records show. Clemmons is wanted in Arkansas and faces eight criminal charges in Washington state.

While governor of Arkansas, 2008 Republican Presidential candidate Mike Huckebee paroled a violent repeat offender by that same name as noted in this 2004 article:

Maurice Clemmons received a 35-year sentence in the early 1990s for armed robbery and theft. His sentence was commuted in May 2000, and he was let out three months later.

The following March, Clem-mons committed two armed robberies and other crimes and was sentenced to 10 years. You'd think they'd keep him locked up after that, but no: He was paroled last March and is now wanted for aggravated robbery.

If Huckabee decides to set these criminals free, Jegley says, at least "he ought to give an accounting. I can't imagine why in the world they'd want them released from jail. There's a good reason we're afraid of them. The sad truth is that a significant number of people re-offend."

The victims' families, Jegley says, "deserve an explanation. I look into people's eyes who've suffered the unspeakable. I believe they deserve justice.

If Huckabee—now a Fox News personality—did set this man free, his aspirations for a future White House run may be over.

Update: The Times confirms that Huckabee set this suspect free.

Update: Huckabee offers a deflection. My response? Yes, the legal systems in Arkansas and Washington did fail in protecting citizens from this violent thug, but Huckabee made it all possible.

It's rather hard to rape children or massacre law enforcement officers in Washington when still locked up in an Arkansas jail.

Posted by Confederate Yankee at November 29, 2009 08:53 PM
Comments

Never did like the Huckster and from now on I won't even listen to the thug.

Posted by: Mark L Harvey (aka Snooper) at November 29, 2009 09:31 PM

Way to go Mike..................

You're TOAST!

Posted by: BannedByHuffpo at November 29, 2009 10:06 PM

Who paroled him last March?

Posted by: brandywine at November 29, 2009 10:11 PM

Not a surprise to me. He enabled the release of a violent rapist who subsequently raped and murdered 2 women in MO. Wayne Dumond. Look it up.

Looks like The Huckster has a soft spot in his heart for violentr criminals and likes to play God with the pardon and commuting powers. Guess it makes him feel good.

Sounds like a RINO trait to me. Hope the rest of the Republican party wakes up to this clown.

Posted by: OldArky at November 29, 2009 10:15 PM

I agree with you Snooper. He never did anything at all for me as well. I never could see why so many conservative types were "GAGA" over Huckabee.

He is done - media will make sure he is forever attached to this horrific act.

The big question is how many more of these psychopaths are running around because some politician wanted to look enlightened.

Posted by: slimedog at November 29, 2009 10:15 PM

There were reports today that Huckabee was "leaning against" running again...

Uh...Start practicing that bass guitar Mike, you're toast...

Posted by: hotairpundit at November 29, 2009 10:19 PM

RINO!
Nuff said

Posted by: maxx at November 29, 2009 10:19 PM

Can you say Michael Dukakis? I knew that you could!

Posted by: Fuzzlenutter at November 29, 2009 10:34 PM

Looking like a Mike Dukakis/Willie Horton Moment..

Posted by: skatzbert at November 29, 2009 10:38 PM

What about Queen Christine? Shouldn't she hold some responsibility with the willing disregard for the safety of the child this guy raped? This was his 8th felony and his third strike in Washington, yet the judge saw fit to set a 150 K bail??? I don't like what Hukabee said about obowmau and his photo-op with our fallen soldiers, defending the chicago chump and all, but this guy has been a resident of Washington state since 2003/04. Washingtonians love to blame others for their own incompetence, they are the loony left up here. Both govenors are responsible.

Posted by: c m romeo at November 29, 2009 10:42 PM

We conservatives did not like Ol Huckalib!!! Oh my God help us. I always knew he was a fake. I had the same feeling about him as I did about Obama. I thought who are these people that climbed out from under the bottom of the river rocks. Geez what else is going to happen to this country?! and to the great people that make it work that are being crapped on over and over again. I did ask the good Lord to expose the truth to us, I guess he is doing just that. I can't wait to hear what Tammy Bruce has to say about this, she saw through him too! Those poor officers and their families, please Lord comfort them in their time of grief. Amen

Posted by: jann at November 29, 2009 10:54 PM

Sarah would've used this punk as coyote bait.

You're history Huckabee.

Go away.

Stay there.

Posted by: BannedByHuffpo at November 29, 2009 10:55 PM

oldarky, thanks for the reminder of the Wayne Dumond case. The Huckster lost me with the TV ad showing a cross in the window panes - just a coincidence says Huck. And then there was something I can't quite remember he said dissing Romney - I think it was about Romney's religion. I know many Mormons, they're more than allright by me.

Posted by: Jayne at November 29, 2009 10:58 PM

Mr. Huckabee: Can you say Willie Horton?

Posted by: mikemcdaniel at November 29, 2009 11:06 PM

Hey guys, this probably will hurt Huckabee...quite possibly A LOT...but keep in mind that he campaigned on the idea of ending the income tax completely and shutting down the IRS...that hardly sounds like a RINO to me...

Posted by: DR at November 29, 2009 11:14 PM

Thanks for this teachable moment Huckster. Only wish it didn't have to come at the terrible expense of four innocent police officers' lives. That fact is a crying shame.

Now be gone with yourself Mike and don't come back. You were a joke yesterday; your an evil joke today.

Posted by: Eric at November 29, 2009 11:16 PM

Sorry it's late. That should have read, "YOU'RE an evil joke today". I had to correct it. When I read simple grammar mistakes in comments my civilization-is-going-down-the toilet meter ticks up one notch. I didn't want to tick up YOUR meter unnecessarily.

Posted by: Eric at November 29, 2009 11:21 PM

Mike Huckabee has released a press statement about the slayings: http://www.huckpac.com/?Fuseaction=Blogs.View&Blog_id=2907

If you read the press release, it makes you want to puke!

Posted by: J at November 29, 2009 11:29 PM

Do you even read the stories you link to? Gov. Huckabee did NOT pardon this man, Maurice Clemmons (nor did he pardon Wayne Dumond). Huckabee commuted his sentence from 60 yrs for a non-violent crime Clemmons committed when he was a minor. Clemmons was still left in prison. The Arkansas Parole board, completely independent of the Governor, decided to grant parole. Shortly after he was released, Clemmons violated parole and was sent back to prison.

Secondly, the police in Washington make it clear that Maurice Clemmons is not a suspect, but rather, a person of interest wanted for questioning in the matter.

Posted by: c w at November 29, 2009 11:39 PM

>>"The Times confirms that Huckabee set this suspect free"

That's not what what your link says. I'm no fan of Huck but he seems to be getting a bit of a bad rap here.

Posted by: Steve at November 30, 2009 12:06 AM

>>"Clemmons had been in jail in Pierce County for the past several months on a pending charge of second-degree rape of a child. He was released from custody just six days ago, even though was staring at seven additional felony charges in Washington state."


Maybe we can stop the Huck Hatefest long enough to look into this scandal. Washington is responsible for their own cops death.

Posted by: Steve at November 30, 2009 12:09 AM

American Power tracked-back with, 'Mike Huckabee Statement on Maurice Clemmons: Suspect Wanted in Washington State Police Killings'.

Posted by: Americaneocon at November 30, 2009 12:11 AM

c w, I did not say he pardoned Dumond, I said he enabled Dumond to be released. I know Dumond's AR victim very well and know the Dumond facts a hell of of lot better than you.

The Huckster made sure that Dumond was released over the vehement objections of the victim. She (the underage rape vistim) revealed her identity and went public with her objections to what The Huckster was doing re Dumond and predicted in his governor's office that Dumond would rape again and this time kill the victim. Too bad she was right.

The Huckster made himself feel good through the use of clemency and pardons at the expense of past crime victims and the families of the future victims of the animals he let out of their cages.

Posted by: OldArky at November 30, 2009 12:12 AM

You huckabee defenders are the scum of the earth. Your the same people who defend george bush. You people really make me sick. I hate democrats but you claim to be on our side so no I hate you more.

Posted by: tyler at November 30, 2009 12:23 AM

>>"You huckabee defenders are the scum of the earth. Your the same people who defend george bush."


You're funny. What's your beef with Bush? The Iraq War no doubt.

That aside, I'm not "defending" Huckabee. I'm pointing out a factual error on CY's part. Huckabee did not "parole" this guy, as CY's link makes clear. The headline here is wrong.

Posted by: Steve at November 30, 2009 12:47 AM

Steve your funny too. I'm not a liberal I'm a conservative but are you being serious about bush? He doubled the debt wouldn't bomb the hell out of afghanistan and let brave marines be court martialed for doing there job. Thats just a couple of things that come to mind. Bottom line is Mich Hucabee is a joke and has blood on his hands and fox news is a complete joke. I stopped watching that pathetic station years ago and I can guarantee you they won't mention the huckabee angle in there reporting. Just like they won't mention the name of Michael Savage.

Posted by: Tyler at November 30, 2009 01:07 AM

Huckabee can't worm his way out of this one, especially given that his campaign's senior adviser, one Jim Pinkerton, was one of the main architects behind the Willie Horton attack ad campaign against Michael Dukakis.

Posted by: googoo at November 30, 2009 01:56 AM

As i understand his crime was when he was 17.
It is any judge that let him out after more crimes that has the weight of the cops deaths on his sholders. Not Huckabee.

Posted by: Mr Smart at November 30, 2009 02:03 AM

Mr Smart,

Huckabee set in motion the guy's release from jail. As far as I know, he did not protest Mr. Clemmons' release.

Posted by: googoo at November 30, 2009 02:10 AM

Snake oil salesman Huckebee is just as gullible as he thinks everyone else is apparently.

Posted by: astonerii at November 30, 2009 03:55 AM

Why oh why does karma make good people pay for a fools deeds?

Huck, Bush, Clinton, and for sure Obama letting people out early. I think they should have to let them live with them for 6 months, each and every one of them.

In their private mansions with their kids and their family before letting them out on us.

Posted by: Wrong Name at November 30, 2009 05:27 AM

Steve wrote:
"You're funny. What's your beef with Bush? The Iraq War no doubt."

Tyler retorted:
"Steve your funny too. I'm not a liberal I'm a conservative but are you being serious about bush? He doubled the debt wouldn't bomb the hell out of afghanistan and let brave marines be court martialed for doing there job. Thats just a couple of things that come to mind."

Right on, Tyler! You GET it! Bush was so wrong in so many ways: Especially the absurd rules of engagement that to this day handcuff our troops (rules that obama has kept and tightened); the overly zealous court-martials (which you, of course, mention) not only of Marines, but of soldiers, too; the refusal -- again, as you tell it -- to truly take the fight to the enemy; and, most of all -- his abject failure consistently to call the enemy the enemy BY NAME ("religion of peace," indeed!).

Bush struck me as a conflicted weakling -- seemingly afraid of his own shadow (and his Daddy's too). In his second term -- as even one of his admirers (Caroline Glick) admits -- he turned his foreign policy over to the liberals Condi Rice and the crew at Foggy Bottom.

Bush, in effect, had greatness handed to him on a silver platter by history itself. His response? "No thanks; I think I'll pass."

Posted by: man_in_tx at November 30, 2009 06:02 AM

My very liberal friends assume that if someone is religious, one is also automatically conservative. Passing over what being religious means, Episcopalians vs Mormons showing the range, I always maintained that the Huckster was really Religious Left over a wide range of issues. It came out in many of his positions during the campaign. Now we see more evidence.

I do enjoy his variety show on Fox, and he is doing a good job as a successor to Paul Harvey in his daily commentaries. Let's hope he stays there.

Posted by: Tregonsee at November 30, 2009 06:58 AM

""...The following March, Clem-mons committed two armed robberies and other crimes and was sentenced to 10 years. You'd think they'd keep him locked up after that, but no: He was paroled last March and is now wanted for aggravated robbery....""

First off, I am not a supporter of the Governor nor do i play one while watching TV. That being said, Governor Huckabee gave this guy a second chance in 2000 and this guy blew it 7 months later which landed him back in jail. Some idiot in the Arkansas Parole Board gave this guy a third chance for some stupid reason. It is this idiot or group of idiots that need to be drug to court and be held liable for releasing this guy back into the wild.

I fail to see the point trying to be made here in that the Governor is somehow responsible for this guys latest operation of permanent dispatch?

The sentences in quotes is all the proof one needs to see the Governor's hands are clean in this matter. Governor Huckabee left office on Jan. 9, 2007. This guy was recently paroled, March 2008, after the Governor left office.

Again the burden of fault lays squarely on the feet of the inept Arkansas State Parole Board, not the Governors.

Posted by: 0321_GUY at November 30, 2009 07:49 AM

One big reason why Huckabee is popular with rep's, is that he can actually formulate a sentence when he speaks and sound good when doing it.

Posted by: marty at November 30, 2009 08:12 AM

As long as Huckabee is considered a leader of the Tea Parties, their movement will have no credibility. This is even a black eye for Fox. For Gary @ 8:12..... if you had an IQ above single digits, you would be dangerous.

Posted by: Don at November 30, 2009 09:53 AM

Sorry 0321,

Your little charade isn't going to cut it for your guy, the phony preacher-flimflam man.

Hucka-clown set this guy free despite his numerous convictions, the last of which resulted in a 95 year sentence and Huck did it in face of strong protests by the local prosecutors AND without justifying his reasons in writing as required by the Ark. Constitution. (Of course we know it was done for black votes!)

What a rotten scoundrel, one without any excuses, even those as flimsy as yours!

Posted by: Earl T at November 30, 2009 10:17 AM

This is exactly why no RHINOS need apply!

Posted by: Art at November 30, 2009 10:27 AM

Lakewood, not Lakeland.

Posted by: Foxfier at November 30, 2009 10:45 AM

This how the right wants to run this country
obama,sores,holden and so forth

so lets take notes on huck's past.
I like Huck
but had no clue how forgiving and naive he is...

Sarah Palin has a good chance, although she a strong believer in the right to life

but that right to life in prison she is strong on also....lock them up an throw the key away.

God Bless these officer and their families, i hope
this guy dies soon.

Posted by: sue at November 30, 2009 01:20 PM

Thank you, CW for standing for the truth in the midst of those that are too quick to jump on the "I didn't like Huck, before it was cool to hate Huck" bandwagon.

The tragedy was not Huckabees. It was a failure of the system in Arkansas and Washington. Clemmons' criminal record scaled up from non-violent as a minor to violent as an adult. One person cannot be assigned the failure. There were many times when the system could have locked this guy up for good, but didn't. Huckabee is just a convenient target.

Posted by: Deborah Leigh at November 30, 2009 03:51 PM

I only got one vote, and the huckster ain't gettin it.

Posted by: madge at November 30, 2009 08:02 PM

Not a Huckabee fan, but I don't think we can place all blame with him. There was the parole board and this guy was in and out a number of times - it would be good for someone to put together a timeline of all the crimes and people involved in letting this guy out. How about the judge who allowed him bail in Washington? But actually isn't it all the blame of the leftist mindset which sometimes gets to a sensitive Republican? You know, the mindset that says that too many blacks are in jail, that you should give younger criminals a break.

Posted by: Jayne at November 30, 2009 08:33 PM

The county prosecutor in Arkansas strongly disagreed with Huckabee for releasing Clemmons. There was a no bail warrant for parole violations issued by Arkansas for Clemmons that they revoked sometime after he got to Washington. Washington law enforcement even called Arkansas to confirm before he was released on bail the first time. Arkansas said they no longer wanted him. Bottom line is that this guy had multiple armed robbery convictions in Arkansas and was sentenced accordingly. Huckabee messed up but I'm sure he wishes he could have it back. Hindsight is 20/20.

Posted by: Jeff at November 30, 2009 09:49 PM

OMG
Instead of going after the real culprits you beat up on Huckabee. What scum bags you are!

Some of you do show good sense and don't circle around and kick him him the head while he is down.

The facts have been pointed out to you, like this one "This was his 8th felony and his third strike in Washington, yet the judge saw fit to set a 150 K bail???", yet you continue your tirade against Huckabee.

Gov. Mike Huckabee is a good man and did what he thought was the right thing to do. A 60 year sentence WAS TOO SEVERE.

I love his decent show on Sat. Nights, you should try it sometime.

Posted by: JosephineSouthern at December 1, 2009 12:53 PM