WLBT 3 - Jackson, MS: Gubernatorial Pardons Update

Gubernatorial Pardons Update

The search continues for one pardoned murderer who remains on the lam from the law. And there is growing concern about 20 missing files among the more than 200 criminals either pardoned or who received sentence modifications from former Governor Haley Barbour.

During a meeting with reporters, Attorney General Jim Hood said he is shocked by the amount of freedom granted to inmates who served as trusties at the governor's mansion. He would not elaborate but says upcoming court proceedings will reveal more and all Mississippians should be bothered.

Governor Phil Bryant has discontinued the decades old practice. Hood says he is very concerned about files that are missing on 20 of the pardoned inmates.

"It's a concern. When you have files missing in state government, particularly, most of these on this list are murderers and there's no file. So it concerns me as to why we don't have files and just about every one of them is murderers," said Hood. 

A spokeswoman with Barbour's office says the Attorney General or the Parole Board should have all existing files. Hood says he hopes there are no shenanigans but his instincts tell him that could be the case.

"Perhaps it's just incompetence at best or the prosecutor side of me tells me different. There may be more to it but that will be something we'll have to determine in the days coming," Hood added.

Furthermore, one of the murderers who is being sought can not be found and Hood says Joseph Ozment is a threat to society.

"We ask people, morally, this guy is a murderer, he's committed murder. He is out there, if he thinks he's going back to jail for life, he's a dangerous individual because he would not have anything to lose," declared Hood.

Attorney General Hood is offering a reward for information leading to the location of Ozment. He says anyone with such information should contact his office.

Hood also says the legal wrangling could continue for months to try and resolve all of the issues raised by the former governor's actions. The next court hearing is scheduled February 3rd in Hinds County Circuit Court.

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