The decision made by President Biden to reduce the sentences of two men who were convicted of murdering a student at Marshall University has been criticized as “misguided” and “disgusting” by Senator Joe Manchin, who is leaving his position as an independent from West Virginia.
“After speaking to Samantha Burns’ parents, I believe it is my duty to speak on their behalf and say President Biden’s decision to commute the death sentences for the two men convicted in her brutal murder is horribly misguided and insulting.” Manchin wrote on his X account.
“Particularly since Samantha’s family wrote letters to President Biden & the Department of Justice, pleading for them not to do this, but their concerns were unheard. I can’t imagine the grief that Kandi and John Burns are reliving and dealing with during the holiday season.” he added.
“As their U.S. Senator and a father, I want to express my deepest sympathy for their continued suffering. Please know that Samantha will forever be in our prayers.” he concluded.
After making the announcement that he would not run for reelection the previous year, Manchin, who had been one of the more conservative members of the Democratic caucus for many years, officially cut his links with the party in May in order to make the transition to an independent.
Brandon Basham and Chadrick Fulks, along with thirty-five other prisoners, were granted presidential clemency on Monday, when Vice President Joe Biden announced that he would convert their sentences of execution to life sentences without the possibility of release.
In the same way that he did for his son Hunter Biden, whom he pardoned earlier in December despite having previously stated that he would not become involved in his legal difficulties, advocates and progressive lawmakers pushed the president to utilize his executive power to pardon or reduce the sentences of other individuals.
In response to the decision, President-elect Trump looked to be incensed, asking the detainees to “go to hell” on Christmas Day. Other individuals, on the other hand, provided a range of responses.
In response to the criticism, Vice President Biden stated that he was “guided” by his conscience to take a stand against the use of the death penalty.
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