Governor may pardon Marine burglar chaser

[unhappycamper]

Governor may pardon Marine burglar chaser
The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Feb 29, 2008 8:09:28 EST

SANTA FE, N.M. — Gov. Bill Richardson is urging a state district judge to re-evaluate the sentence of an Iraq war veteran who fatally shot a would-be burglar after chasing him several blocks.

Richardson’s office describes the two-year sentence handed down to Elton John Richard last week as harsh.

Richard, a decorated Marine who had fought in both Iraq wars and had been part of the 2003 rescue of Army Pvt. Jessica Lynch, had pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter after being charged with second-degree murder.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Pat Murdoch ordered Richard to pay restitution of $500 a month for four years.

Richardson said if Murdoch doesn’t review Richard’s sentence, he’s willing to consider a request for executive clemency.


Rest of article at: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/02/ap_marinesentence_022908/



uhc comment: Previous thread on Richard --> http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=259&topic_id=11991

[aasleka]

1. hmm the burglar got a death sentence, bad precedent

making it ok to be judge and jury as long as your army