For inmates who've truly changed their lives, how long a sentence is enough?
The rest of the board disagreed but struggled over how much more time in prison, if any, they should recommend to the governor before ultimately deciding on five years.
"How much time is enough?" member Smith asked at one point. "I guess the governor is going to have to decide that."
Barry Massey, in a photo from 20 years ago, was sentenced to life in prison for a crime he committed at age 13. Gov. Gregoire recently rejected a clemency board recommendation that he be set free
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Click here to watch a video of Barry Massey's 2006 clemency hearing.
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In the end, of course, she didn't exactly. Or rather, she decided she wouldn't consider it for three more years.
nshapiro@seattleweekly.com
Tammybelgard 01/06/2012 6:00:00 AM
I know the clemency board really failed to loik at hard facts in belgard and gardner case.In fact sheryll mc cloud actually gave misinformation to the board.facts were very clear in this case gardner was guilty .How appauling our system failed so bad in this case by giving clemency to gardner after only serving six years while belgard was guilty by association still sits in prison twenty years later .wow someone should have actually read this case instead of discriminating against someone just because they had a record.wow is all I can say damage already done misjustice all the way clemency board should be ashamed.of themselves for not doing research befor granting clemency.there are actually innocent people in prison pays to research to make system work this case prime example....
Tammybelgard 01/06/2012 5:32:00 AM
Just because someone has a record doesnt automatically make them guilty.hauge was repremended for poor council to belgard.gardner is the one who had nlood on him belgard after dna no blood right hauge.this is a defense attorney who was discriminating and a disgrace to the system.belgard did not commit the murder but did plead guilty by association .facts were clear in this case gardner was the stabber.hauge you know this and if its the last thing we do it will be take out a laesuite against you .weve already had attornies look at this case .what a misjustice this so called defense attorney has done to mr.belgard.just becausr someone has no record doesnt make them innocent.hauge you are a disgrace to the justice system and we will have our chance to speak out im sure are attorney will take pleasure in making this happen.
Deidre Johnson 12/17/2010 1:02:00 PM
Barry Mossey should be given a second chance. He not only has served enough time for this crime but he has done way more then needed. We cant expect a 13 year old to spend the rest of his life in prison because some "board" members cant take a second to put there unjustified issues aside. We cant blame a man or women for falling in love with someone. What's the crime in that? So are people who commit a crime not allowed to have feelings? Its one thing that he hasnt had the chance to live his life but for us to tell him that he has made a poor decision because he reacted to his feelings is not justice nor is it right!!!! I want to THANK AMANDA LEE for her wonderful statements she made to the other board members. She was the only one up there that actually was paying attention to the facts and making a right decision on giving a men a second after he has served 24 years in prison from the age of 13 to 37. It entertains me that the other members can sit there and talk about Barry having hope....how? and hope for what? His life was in there hands and they have stolen his hope!! How do they sleep in peace knowing that they have made the decision off of him fallen in love! Its crazy to me. I hope that our governor can find it in her heart and take the time to listen to the hearing, to make the right decision and let BARRY MOSSEY FREE!!!!!!
kimberly white 05/31/2010 3:20:00 PM
barry should be released and given a second chance he had never been in trouble with the law before this incident clearly a sign that noone just gets up and decides to commit a crime so brutal as their first crime.
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