JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi Democrats and a victim's relatives are criticizing outgoing Republican Gov. Haley Barbour for pardoning a convicted murderer on Barbour's final weekend in office.
WLBT-TV reports (http://bit.ly/At42AO) that Barbour pardoned 40-year-old David Gatlin, who was sentenced to life in prison for killing his estranged wife, Tammy Ellis Gatlin, in 1993 and wounding a man.
Online state records show Gatlin has been serving as a trustee inmate at the governor's mansion.
The victim's sister, Tiffany Ellis Brewer, says Gatlin "spent less time in jail than my little sister got to live."
House Democratic caucus Leader Bobby Moak says Barbour's action is "the latest in a long line of irresponsible decisions by a party that claims to stand for law and order."
Administration officials didn't respond Sunday evening to messages from The Associated Press. Barbour leaves office Tuesday.
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