Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares criticized President Biden after he pardoned the “Waverly Two,” who they said confessed to being responsible for the 1998 slaying of a Sussex County police officer.
“I am beyond anger and in utter disbelief about this President Biden would announce clemency for Ferrone Claiborne and Terence Richardson – the two men who admitted to being responsible for the brutal murder of Officer Allen Gibson, a hero and dedicated servant of our community,” Youngkin said in a statement.
“What makes this even more unconscionable is Biden’s attorney general advised the White House not to commute these sentences because they are violent felons.”
Youngkin said the “pain and grief this pardon is causing the Gibson family is unimaginable.”
BIDEN CHANGED ALMOST 2,500 SENTENCES IN THE LAST DAYS OF THE PRESIDENCY
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, left, and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares released statements criticizing President Biden for pardoning the “Waverly Two,” two men who were acquitted of the 1998 murder of a Sussex County police officer but sentenced to life in prison in 1998. drug trafficking charges. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images | MANDEL NGAN/Pool via REUTERS)
“Knowing that the people who took Officer Gibson’s life will walk free is not only a grave injustice – it is a heartbreaking blow to those who continue to mourn his sacrifice. This is despicable; a grim day for justice and for the families who believe that our system to hold the guilty accountable,” Youngkin said.
Youngkin’s office said Claiborne and Richardson have been hired Sussex County Court be responsible for Gibson’s brutal murder.
“The evidence presented and the details surrounding Officer Gibson’s death are deeply disturbing and tragic,” Youngkin said.
Youngkin’s office said then-President Obama refused to grant clemency to Claiborne and Richardson.
Under current conditions, both should be released in July.
“This is despicable. I am beyond outrage and in utter disbelief that President Biden would issue a pardon for these two violent criminals,” Youngkin wrote in a post on X.
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Miyares echoed Youngkin’s disgust and said his office will continue to seek justice for Gibson’s family.
“I am outraged that Biden pardoned cop killers, forcing the fallen cop’s child, Crissana, to relive this trauma. Shame on you, Joe Biden and your support staff. May the memory of Officer Allen Gibson and his family haunt each of you forever.” Miyares wrote in a post on X.
Miyares also shared a statement from Crissana Gibson, who was outraged by Biden’s decision.
“I am absolutely outraged by what has happened. I am heartbroken to know that the people who killed my father will be released from prison and can walk the streets freely. This is a huge miscarriage of justice and I am absolutely disgusted by the outgoing administration,” she wrote. “The Virginia Attorney General’s Office worked tirelessly to put these killers behind bars, and I am forever grateful for their dedication and hard work. I am so disappointed that the shameful Biden administration failed my family, my father, and the entire police force. Neither my family nor I we never supported the release of Richardson or Claiborne and we condemn this decision. the outgoing failed presidency of Joe Biden and the abuse of the judicial system by the Democratic Party.”
Miyares said that on April 25, 1998, Allen Gibson, 25, woke up and went to work as a police officer in Waverly and never returned home after he was shot with his own service weapon in the woods behind an apartment complex.
“He put on his bulletproof vest and said goodbye to his 8-year-old daughter, Crissana. Officer Gibson found Terence Richardson and Ferrone Claiborne involved in a drug deal behind an apartment building. The men attacked Officer Gibson, and Richardson disarmed Officer Gibson and fatally shot him. hit him in the stomach right under his bulletproof vest,” Miyares described.
Officials said both Claiborne and Richardson were named suspects and arrested in Gibson’s killing shortly after his death.
Both men are still serving life sentences on the remaining drug-trafficking charges, but were acquitted by a federal jury on the murder and firearms charges.
On Friday morning, Biden announced that he would commute the sentences about 2,500 inmates as his presidency drew to a close.
The commutations are for people convicted of non-violent drug offenses “who are serving disproportionately long sentences” compared to what they would have received if convicted under today’s law.
However, Biden found himself the target of criticism from both sides because of who he decided to pardon or commute.
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In late December, he decided to commute the sentences of 37 of the 40 men on death row, helping them avoid execution and sending them to life in prison without parole.
Biden also boasted that he was done “the greatest one-day pardon” on Dec. 12 when he commuted the sentences of 1,500 people and pardoned 39 others, most of whom were already serving time under house arrest for decisions made during the COVID-19 era.
Fox News Digital’s Elizabeth Pritchett contributed to this report.
Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Tips and story ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com
