Louisiana Governor Edwards Grants Pardons to 56 Inmates, Including 40 with Murder Convictions

According to sources, outgoing Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards pardoned 56 convicts, including 40 murderers.

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Louisiana Governor Grants Controversial Pardons, Including Murder Convicts, in Effort to Reduce Incarceration Rates

Edwards wants to lower Louisiana’s 1,094-person-per-100,000 incarceration rate. The Democrat governor stressed that growing prison populations have not made the state safer and called for a change away from this. In addition to murder, Edwards has pardoned drug dealers, robbers, and arsonists.

David Rushing was hours away from execution for murdering a taxi driver in 1983. Rushing, 18, confessed after attempting to rob a convenience store and petrol station.

The death penalty was averted by successful appeals that exposed prosecution malfeasance and inadequate defense. Benson Dean Vampran, convicted in 1984 of murdering a hitchhiker and raping his wife, and Anthony Riggins, convicted of killing a 68-year-old shopkeeper in 1977, were both pardoned.

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Outgoing Louisiana Governor Sparks Controversy with Pardons, Advocates Criminal Justice Reform Despite Criticism

Edwards said Louisiana would be better when he left office, despite the controversy surrounding these pardons. He said lowering the prison population was a good thing after eight years of addressing numerous concerns. Critics of the governor’s strategy worry about releasing severe criminals. Pardoning murderers has raised questions about criminal justice reform and public safety.

Edwards said Louisiana historically increased jail to combat rising crime, which does not improve public safety. His release of severe offenders has sparked debate regarding criminal justice reform and public security. As Edwards leaves office, these pardons’ effects on the state’s criminal justice system are debated.

READ ALO: Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, Controversial Pardons, Criminal Justice Reform, Incarceration Rates, Murder Convicts, David Rushing Case, Benson Dean Vampran, Anthony Riggins, Public Safety Debate, Louisiana Prison Population