Politically connected killer pardoned by Bevin

After George H.W. Bush pardoned all those Iran-Contra traitors, we shouldn't be surprised that Matt Bevin has also pardoned so many politically connected criminals.

Bevin, who left the governorship this week after losing re-election in November, made yet another in a series of controversial pardons as one of his last acts in office. Bevin pardoned Patrick Baker, who had been sentenced to 19 years in prison for reckless homicide and other major charges stemming from a Knox County home invasion. Thanks to this pardon, Baker served only 2 years.

It turns out that Baker's brother had hosted a huge campaign fundraiser for Bevin. The event raised over $20,000. Baker's family also gave another $4,000 to the Bevin campaign.

The prosecutor who put Baker on trial said he believes he was pardoned because of his political connections. The case was tried by Judge David Williams, the Republican candidate for governor in 2011. Even he said of the case, "The evidence was just overwhelming." This shows even some Republicans have grown tired of Bevin's antics.

But not the party's leaders - who have a history of being soft on crime.

(Source: https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/2019/12/11/bevin-issued-hundreds-pardons-and-commutations-final-day)