The Louisiana Board of Pardons has scheduled to hear 20 of the 56 clemency cases from death row inmates in response to Governor Edwards’ request. Executive Director of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association Loren Lampert said the governor is asking the board to go against their own rules.
“But even more significant than that, why would we ever want to force feed 56 of the most serious cases in our history into such a compressed timeframe,” said Lampert.
Last month, the board decided not to hear them on the grounds they were not filed within a year after the inmates’ final appeal was denied. Edwards said it does not violate the rules but an opinion from the Attorney General said it does.
In the letter, Edwards recognized the emotional toll on board members when reviewing a case. But Lampert said it’s what’s not in the letter that resonates.
“Does not anywhere in that letter mention a single solitary victim or surviving family member speaks volumes,” said Lampert.
Lampert said the limited time frame for the cases to be reviewed before Edwards leaves office in January presents another issue.
“When there’s absolutely no recourse for the victims if the clemency application is granted wrongly, it’s final it’s unassailable,” said Lampert.
The 20 cases are scheduled to be heard between October 13th and November 27th.
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