Virginia Gov. Glenn Yenkin and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miares blasted President Biden after he granted clemency to the "Waverly Two" Pleaded guilty to the 1998 murder of a Sussex County police officer.
"I am outraged and in disbelief that President Biden would announce clemency for Ferrone Clyburn and Terrence Richardson, two men who pleaded guilty to the brutal slayings," Youngkin said in a statement. Officer Alan Gibson is in charge and is a hero and loyal servant to our community," stated.
"Even more unreasonable is that the Biden U.S. Attorney is recommending that the White House not commute the sentences of these men because they are violent offenders."
"The pain and grief this leniency has caused the Gibson family is unimaginable," Youngkin said.
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Virginia Governor Glenn Younkin (left) and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miares both issued statements criticizing President Biden for granting clemency to the "Waverly Two" men convicted of a 1998 murder. He was acquitted of murdering a Sussex County police officer in 2017 but was sentenced to life in prison in 2017. Drug trafficking charges. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images | MANDEL NGAN/Pool via REUTERS)
"Knowing that those who took Officer Gibson's life will be free is not only a grave injustice - it is a heartbreaking blow to those who continue to mourn his sacrifice. It is despicable "This is a grim day for justice and for the families of those who were killed to trust our system to hold the guilty accountable," Youngkin said.
Clyburn and Richardson pleaded guilty in Sussex County Circuit Court to Gibson's brutal killing, Youngkin's office said.
"The evidence presented and the details surrounding Officer Gibson's death are deeply disturbing and tragic," Youngkin said.
Youngkin's office said then-President Obama refused to grant clemency to Clyburn and Richardson.
Under current terms, both men are due to be released in July.
"This is despicable. I am outraged and in complete disbelief that President Biden would announce clemency for these two violent criminals," Yangkin wrote in a post on X.
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Miares echoed Youngkin's disgust and said his office will continue to seek justice for Gibson's family.
“I’m outraged that Biden is granting leniency to a police killer and forcing the fallen officer’s child, Crisana, to relive this trauma. Shame on you, Joe Biden and your staff. May Officer Ellen Gibson and his The memory of the family lingers in everyone’s heart. “Forever you,” Miares wrote in a post on X.
Miares also shared a statement from Krisana Gibson, who said she was outraged by Biden's decision.
"I am absolutely outraged by what happened. It breaks my heart to know that the man who killed my father is about to be released from prison and walk the streets free. This was a huge miscarriage of justice and I am deeply concerned about it." Absolutely disgusted. "The outgoing administration," she wrote, "worked tirelessly to put these murderers behind bars and I am forever grateful for their dedication and hard work." I am deeply disappointed that the disgraceful Biden administration has failed my family, my father, and the entire law enforcement community. Neither my family nor I support the release of Richardson or Clyburn, and we condemn the failure of outgoing President Joe Biden. Den's decision and the Democratic Party's abuse of the judicial system. "
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Miares said that on April 25, 1998, Allen Gibson, 25, woke up to go to work as a Waverly police officer and died after being shot with his own service-style weapon in the woods behind an apartment complex. Never came home again.
"He put on his bulletproof vest and said goodbye to his 8-year-old daughter, Crissana. Officer Gibson found Terrence Richardson and Ferrone Claiborne conducting a drug deal behind an apartment building. The men attacked Officer Gibson, Richardson disarmed Officer Gibson, who was shot in the abdomen under his bulletproof vest, Miares described.
Officials said Claiborne and Richardson were named suspects shortly after Gibson's death and were arrested for Gibson's murder.
Both men were still serving life sentences on remaining drug charges but were acquitted by a federal jury on murder and firearms charges.
On Friday morning, Biden announced that he would commute the sentences of nearly 2,500 prisoners toward the end of his presidential term.
The reduced sentences apply to people convicted of non-violent drug offenses "who are serving disproportionately long sentences" compared to those sentenced under today's law.
However, Biden has faced bipartisan criticism for his decisions to pardon or commute sentences.
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In late December, he chose to commute the sentences of 37 of 40 men on federal death row, helping them escape execution, and sentenced them to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Biden also boasted that he had completed "The largest single-day amnesty" On Dec. 12, he commuted the sentences of 1,500 people and pardoned 39 others, most of whom were already serving home sentences for decisions made during the COVID-19 era.
Fox News Digital's Elizabeth Pritchett contributed to this report.
Stepheny Price is a contributor for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Story tips and ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com