Virginia Republicans Slam Biden’s Clemency for ‘Cop Killers’

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares expressed shock and outrage at President Biden’s recent decision to grant clemency to two men convicted of brutally killing a Sussex County police officer in 1998. The two men, Ferrone Claiborne and Terence Richardson, known as the “Waverly Two,” were acquitted of the murder but sentenced to life in prison on drug trafficking charges. The news has sparked controversy and condemnation from Virginia’s top officials, who are deeply concerned about the implications of this decision on the victim’s family and the justice system.

Youngkin and Miyares React

In a scathing statement, Governor Youngkin condemned Biden’s actions as a grave injustice and a heartbreaking blow to those mourning Officer Allen Gibson’s sacrifice. Youngkin emphasized the pain and sorrow this clemency would cause the Gibson family, describing it as unimaginable. He criticized the decision to commute the sentences of two violent offenders, highlighting the advice from the Biden U.S. Attorney against the move due to their violent history.

Attorney General Miyares echoed Youngkin’s sentiments, expressing his outrage at the clemency granted to the “cop killers.” He pledged to continue seeking justice for the Gibson family and criticized Biden for forcing Crissana Gibson, the fallen officer’s child, to relive the trauma of her father’s murder. Miyares shared Crissana’s emotional statement, where she expressed her shattered heart and outrage at the release of her father’s killers, denouncing the decision as a miscarriage of justice.

The Tragic Incident

On April 25, 1998, Officer Allen Gibson, a dedicated Waverly police officer, tragically lost his life in the line of duty. While responding to a drug deal behind an apartment building, Gibson encountered Claiborne and Richardson, who attacked him and fatally shot him below his bulletproof vest. The suspects were arrested soon after the incident and faced charges related to Gibson’s murder. Despite being acquitted of murder and firearms charges, both men are serving a life sentence for drug trafficking.

Biden’s Controversial Clemency

President Biden’s decision to commute the sentences of nearly 2,500 inmates, including Claiborne and Richardson, has drawn bipartisan criticism. The move to grant clemency to individuals convicted of non-violent drug offenses, while releasing convicted murderers, has raised concerns about the administration’s commitment to justice and public safety. Biden’s previous actions, such as commuting the sentences of federal death row inmates and granting clemency to a large number of individuals, have added to the controversy surrounding his approach to criminal justice reform.

As the debate over Biden’s clemency decisions continues, the voices of Governor Youngkin, Attorney General Miyares, and the Gibson family stand as a reminder of the impact of such actions on victims and their loved ones. The quest for justice and accountability remains a central theme in the ongoing discourse surrounding the administration’s approach to criminal justice reform.