Many express 'outrage' as man convicted in connection with Bridgeport double murder walks free following Biden clemency
In the final moments of his presidency, Joe Biden commuted a federal drug sentence for Adrian Peeler, who was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder in the deaths of Karen Clarke and BJ Brown.
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Adrian Peeler, 49, walked out of a federal prison in West Virginia Wednesday after spending 26 years behind bars in connection with the 1999 murders of 8-year-old BJ Brown and his mother, Karen Clarke.
The child was set to testify against Peeler's brother, Russell Peeler, in a shooting Russell Peeler had committed.
"This is just plain wrong, and it points to the need for reforms in the executive clemency process," said criminal defense attorney Dennis Bradley, who has no connection to the Peeler case but has been an outspoken advocate for reforming executive clemency.
"It's an outrage for us, we're extremely upset, we grieve with this family, we mourn over the deaths of these beloved members of our community, and we want an explanation as to why," Bradley said.
In the final moments of his presidency, Joe Biden commuted a federal drug sentence for Adrian Peeler, who was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder in the deaths of Karen Clarke and BJ Brown.
Prosecutors said Peeler shot the pair on the orders of his brother, Russell Peeler, who was later sentenced to death for the murders - though his sentence was later changed to life in prison without the possibility of parole when Connecticut eliminated the death penalty.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal says Adrian Peeler should never have been released.
"My hope is this astonishing, appalling decision for clemency will help support and fuel a movement for reform - an effort I'm proud to be leading," Blumenthal said.
