The Mississippi Supreme Court upheld the controversial pardons of more than 200 convicts former Governor Haley Barbour approved on his way out of office, rejecting a challenge by the state’s attorney general. The ruling ended in a 77-page, 6-3 vote on Thursday afternoon. The three judges who were against Barbour argued that because they are the Supreme Court, they have the authority to decide if someone is breaking the law, but because Barbour was in an executive position, the majority of the court found the pardons “may not be set aside or voided by the judicial branch.” The Mississippi law requires that a 30-day notice is posted in news outlets, prior to the freeing or pardon of any convict, so the living victims have a voice in the matter. Attorney General Jim Hood told the court no proper notice had been posted in the newspapers, but the ruling found the final decision rested “solely with the governor.”
“We are mindful that the victims and their families are entitled to be interested in the subject matter of this case, and they are undoubtedly — and understandably — concerned with its outcome. It fell to the governor alone to decide whether the Constitution’s publication requirement was met,” Justice Jess Dickinson wrote for the majority. Opposing, Justice Michael Randolph called the decision “a stunning victory for some lawless convicted felons, and an immeasurable loss for the law-abiding citizens of our state.” Among the 214 inmates who were pardoned by Barbour were four convicted murderers who worked as “trusties” at the governor’s mansion. This matter, reportedly, will not be appealed. Each pardoned inmate’s record will be wiped clean and they can live as if their crime never happened.
