Person of Interest in Police Killing's in Washington Has Extensive Criminal History

King 5 News Source
SEATTLE "The man police are seeking as a person of interest in the shooting deaths of four Lakewood, Wash. police officers was supposed to be spending the rest of his life in an Arkansas prison.
But, Maurice Clemmons, 37, who has a criminal history complete with violent, psychotic outbursts, was set free by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.
Killed Sunday morning in what detectives call an "ambush" at a coffee shop were Sgt. Mark Renninger, 39; Ronald Owens, 37; Tina Griswold, 40; and Greg Richards 42.
In 1989, Clemmons, then 17, was convicted in Little Rock for aggravated robbery. He was paroled in 2000 after Huckabee commuted Clemmons' 95-year prison sentence. Huckabee, who was criticized during his run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 for the number of clemencies and commutations he granted, cited Clemmons' age at the time of the sentence.
"Back then, Gov. Huckabee granted clemency to a disturbing number of people, including a man named Maurice Clemmons who should have never been left out," said Larry Jegley, prosecuting attorney for Arkansas' Pulaski County.
After his release from prison, Clemmons violated his parole and was returned to prison in July 2001. He was released March 18, 2004, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette newspaper.
By all accounts, Clemmons left Arkansas and came to Western Washington. By last summer, it appears his life was spiraling into a tail spin. A home he owned in Parkland was torched by illegal fireworks. He talked about that with KING 5's Linda Brill.
"Look what happened. I lost the home," said Clemmons.
Now, Clemmons is a suspect. He's facing charges in Pierce County for child rape, assaulting several deputies and malicious mischief. Court papers refer to him as saying he was the messiah and that he could fly. A relative said "Maurice is not in his right mind."
Clemmons was released from prison six days ago on bond, even though there is a warrant for his arrest after escaping from parole in Arkansas.
"I hope my worst fears aren't realized and we have four police officers dead at the hands of another person who should have been left alone," said Jegley.
Huckabee released this statement in response to the killings.
"The senseless and savage execution of police officers in Washington State has saddened the nation, and early reports indicate that a person of interest is a repeat offender who once lived in Arkansas and was wanted on outstanding warrants here and Washington State. The murder of any individual is a profound tragedy, but the murder of a police officer is the worst of all murders in that it is an assault on every citizen and the laws we live within.
Should he be found to be responsible for this horrible tragedy, it will be the result of a series of failures in the criminal justice system in both Arkansas and Washington State. He was recommended for and received a commutation of his original sentence from 1990. This commutation making him parole eligible and was paroled by the parole board once they determined he met the conditions at that time. He was arrested later for parole violation and taken back to prison to serve his full term, but prosecutors dropped the charges that would have held him. It appears that he has continued to have a string of criminal and psychotic behavior but was not kept incarcerated by either state. This is a horrible and tragic event and if found and convicted the offender should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Our thoughts and prayers are and should be with the families of those honorable, brave, and heroic police officers."

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[MrHr1207]

without the police the streets would be nothing but chaos and a bloodbath, people are too stupid to control themselves, my proof they are too stupid: most don't know the federal reserve A PRIVATE BANKING SYSTEM is robbing them blind thru interest on their own money and income tax,both came in 1913, global warming is a fraud to usher in a one world government, and control every facet of their lives,the patriot act is unconstitutional,they keep us fighting each other hence divide and conquer!

[dale1966gto]

tell you what. with the attitude you've got the only solution is repatriation. know what that is. ship your black butt back to africa and revoke the passport. what are you waiting on. oh,btw...show me some white cave dwellers. bet you can't.

but i can show you some negroes who dwell in trees in almost any issue of national geographic.

[dale1966gto]

you got a point there, jim. i didn't know officers made that much. and i have the utmost respect for the job they do, too.

[ibanez3000]

your right, but the police do need to stop trying to control the populace and badgering civil folks

[nocopout]

hey he shot four pigs good job no need for job cuts in that county...cops are scums here in florida they kill blacks like flies.....si what he killed four cops..good

[JIMTHERE1]

Wrong, cops do get paid a decent amount. 20 bucks and hour for the two i know, That is not all that bad. I mean your not living in poverty on those wages by any means.

Furthermore

That nigger could have blown anyones head off, he had already committed robbery and rape so what was stopping that or any nigger for that matter from shooting you the random shopper in the head over the police officer? Id say he would shoot you first because you might not have a gun.

[JIMTHERE1]

Go suck on a cows ass and bathe in the piss you dumb nigger.

[waterbumb2001]

I take it that you dislike white men and women. Is that true

[ReallyPsilly]

You're welcome to leave anytime you like...

[demonicspawn666]

STFU u guys would still be living in mud huts with no form of medicine clothing technology or welfare except what africa provided you so quit your bitchin good damn unappreciative motherfucker

[buddah0201]

I wish white people would have stayed in the cave were they belong instead with our kind hearts and lack of judgment we as black people let the wicked white people into this peaceful and god abiding world, now what the black man did is payed you Honkeys back for all the injustice we suffered in this hell hole called the UNITED SNAKES WE HATE YOU TO RED NECK PECKER WOODS.