 |
|
President George W. Bush has issued pardons
to 14 people and commuted the prison sentences of two others. The pardons,
announced Monday, include individuals convicted on such acts as bank
embezzlement, making false statements to the federal government, unlawfully
killing wildlife, and committing drug offenses.
Andrew Harley of Falls
Church, Va., was pardoned for
wrongful use and distribution of marijuana and cocaine, Leslie Collier of Charleston, Mo., was
pardoned after conviction of unauthorized use of a registered pesticide, Obie
Helton of Rossville, Ga.,
was pardoned after conviction on charges of acquiring food stamps without
proper permission and sentenced to two years' probation in 1983. John Walker
Lindh, the so-called “American Taliban” captured in Afghanistan was among those who
have appealed to Bush for pardons. So was former Olympic track and field
champion Marion Jones, who served a six-month sentence for lying in a federal
investigation about steroid use.
Rapper John Forte, who was sentenced in
2001 to 14 years for drug smuggling, received one of the commutations. Forte
has been scheduled for release Dec.22.
It was rumoured that President Bush might
issue blanket pardons to government officials and intelligence officers
involved in counterterrorism programs such as al Qaeda interrogations. These
pardons would protect them from criminal prosecution.
Including Monday’s pardons, over seven
years in office, Mr. Bush has granted 171 pardons and commuted eight sentences.
Under the U.S.
constitution, the presidents can grant pardons and shorten sentences. Former
President Bill Clinton had granted 396 pardons and 61 commutations.
© 2007 - 2009 - eFluxMedia