Convicted N.C. Man Won't Be Pardoned

[Eugene]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5218535,00.html

Convicted N.C. Man Won't Be Pardoned


Thursday August 18, 2005 4:01 PM

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Gov. Mike Easley has refused to pardon a man he
put behind bars when he was a prosecutor even though the man was freed
from prison after the victims recanted their testimony.

Easley denied the petition of Sylvester Smith, 54, who was convicted
in 1984 for first degree rape and two counts of first degree sexual
offense, the governor's office said Wednesday.

<snip>

Smith said Easley had a conflict of interest because he prosecuted
the case when he was district attorney in Brunswick County. "I don't
think he's man enough to say he made a mistake," Smith said.

A judge ordered Smith released from prison in November. The accusers,
who were 5 and 6 at the time of the trial, recanted their earlier
testimony and said their grandmother told them to say Smith was
responsible for the abuse rather than their 9-year-old cousin. The
cousin, who can't be prosecuted because of his age at the time of the
crime, is serving a life prison sentence for murder. The grandmother
has died.

more...

[craychek]

1. gee what a surprise... is he a repub? n/t

[short bus president]

3. the "D" behind his name says otherwise

There are cowards and worthless trash in both parties. Take Joe Lieberman... no, really... take him! :P

[Benhurst]

4. Democrat NT

[Kelvin Mace]

8. No, a Vichy Democract

Who refuses to believe he was wrong.

Dick!

[anotherdrew]

2. Gov. Mike Easley is clearly not man enough for anything

Sickening, I detest these types, shamefull that he can't be compeled to do his duty.

[Javaman]

5. repuke or Democrat, the guy is a ass. Pride cometh before the fall.

[MnFats]

6. go here to send e-mails to Easeley:

http://www.governor.state.nc.us/email.asp?to=1

website makes it pretty easy

[RaleighNCDUer]

7. Does not surprise me in the least.

He's a dem but plays to the right, to the corporations and the vast military presence in this state. Besides, he was a prosecutor, and like many politicians rode that office into the governor's house -- I think that whenever a person's case comes up for review before the Governor who, as prosecutor, got his conviction that the governor should recuse himself and put it before the lieutenant governor.

It has always pissed me off that Easely makes the decision on clemency for death penalty cases on cases that he, himself, prosecuted. What do they expect him to do? "I prosecuted him to the fullest extent of the law, fifteen years ago, and demanded the death penalty. But in light of the awesome power of the state having been used against a poorly defended moron, I'm going to give him a break now."

Right.