Today’s tragedy could very well turn out to be presidential-hopeful Mike Huckabee’s Willie Horton moment. Huckabee was Govenor of Arkansas when he pardoned today’s alleged killer who ambushed and slaughtered 4 police officers in a coffee shop early this morning.
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.
The four officers were killed at about 8:15 a.m. by a scruffy-looking man who walked into a coffee shop and opened fire. The officers — three men and one woman — were found dead by deputies who arrived at Forza Coffee at 11401 Steele St. S., said Pierce County Sheriff’s spokesman Ed Troyer.
Maurice Clemmons sought in the murders of 4 Washington State Police Officers.
Maurice Clemmons, the 37-year-old Tacoma man being sought for questioning in the killing of four Lakewood police officers this morning, has a long criminal record punctuated by violence, erratic behavior and concerns about his mental health.
Nine years ago, then-Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee granted clemency to Clemmons, commuting his lengthy prison sentence over the protestations of prosecutors.
“This is the day I’ve been dreading for a long time,” Larry Jegley, prosecuting attorney for Arkansas’ Pulaski County said Sunday night when informed that Clemmons was being sought in connection to the killings.
More at this LINK
Clemmons’ criminal history includes at least five felony convictions in Arkansas and at least eight felony charges in Washington. The record also stands out for the number of times he has been released from custody despite questions about the danger he posed.
Law and Order types are not going to like what Mike Huckabee has done by pardoning Clemmons, only to allow him to kill again. And this time, he’s slaughtered 4 police officers in a surprise attack. Huckabee was also responsible for pardoning the rapist of Bill Clinton’s cousin, while he occupied the office of Govenor. I’d say Mike Huckabee’s chances at becoming a presidential candidate are about NIL right now and going forward.
May the families of those slain officers find peace.
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.