News-Blogging- More on Mark Warner granting Robin Lovitt Clemency

I said here that it was a good move on Warner's part to grant clemency for Robin Lovitt. I do not think it will hurt him politically. Myself, I think Lovitt is guilty. I believe in the death penalty, but I also believe in the law. Evidence was destroyed and that made the DNA testing impossible. Rules were broken by the state denying Lovitt his proper appeal rights. I feel Warner did the right thing. As heartbreaking as this is for the victims family, life with out parole was the right punishment. Thats my opinion, but I am not a lawyer and I dont know all the facts.

Chad has a post up about it here(read the comments). He also promises to have his opinion as a prosecutor posted soon. I am really looking forward to reading his take on the case. He may change my mind.

Bearing Drift has a good take on it here. JR points out that "former Governors Wilder, Allen and Gilmore have all also commuted at least one sentence during their terms."

The RTD has this article that quotes Larry Sabato saying "He's already permitted 11 executions," Sabato said. "You talk about cover? Mark Earley plus Ken Starr. . . . That takes care of it."
The article also has this: Michael Paranzino, president of Throw Away The Key, an anti-crime group based in Kensington, Md., was critical.

"Warner today sided with an unrepentant and cold-blooded killer, and turned his back on working-class folks and crime victims across America," he wrote in an e-mail message.

But Jack Payden-Travers, director of Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, said he spoke with Lovitt's wife, Jane, shortly after the commutation was announced.

"We're very thankful that the governor has moved to take this stand, because, unfortunately, the death penalty is such a political issue that it does take courage to take a stand even when it's an issue of justice as it was in this case," he said.

Virginia Attorney General Judith W. Jagdmann said in a statement that the governor has the authority to grant clemency where in his view the circumstances so warrant.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim's family," she said.

Another view in the RTD- in the 3 pages of comments is this one from Matthew "Reading these comments from both sides..everyone seems to agree that he was guilty. So those agreeing with Warner's decision are basing it strictly on the actions of the clerk? Those asking about the feelings of the family of the criminal..have you ever been the family of the victim? Well said, Ryan. If you stab someone and throw away the weapon, you still stabbed someone. Check out CNN and MSNBC...Warner did this for political capital, regardless of his true belief. First Wilder, now this.

I told you this would be interesting.