Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and Attorney General Jason Miyares have expressed strong condemnation of President Biden’s decision to grant clemency to two men involved in the 1998 murder of a police officer in Sussex County. The “Waverly Two,” Ferrone Claiborne and Terence Richardson, admitted to killing Officer Allen Gibson, and the reaction from state officials has been one of disbelief and outrage.
Governor Youngkin called Biden’s decision “beyond outrageous,” emphasizing how it disregards the pain and suffering of Officer Gibson’s family. He criticized the president for ignoring the advice of the U.S. Attorney, who warned that clemency should not be granted to these violent offenders. “To know that the men who took Officer Gibson’s life will walk free is not just a grave injustice—it’s heartbreaking,” Youngkin said.
The details of the murder are chilling. Officer Gibson, who was just 25 years old, was killed by Claiborne and Richardson during a confrontation behind an apartment complex while investigating a drug deal. The men fatally shot him with his own weapon after disarming him.
In a statement, Miyares shared his outrage, vowing that his office would continue to seek justice for Officer Gibson’s family. He criticized Biden’s decision as a betrayal, especially since it forces Officer Gibson’s daughter, Crissana, to relive the trauma of her father’s murder. Miyares’ sentiments were echoed by Crissana Gibson herself, who expressed her deep shock and sadness over the clemency. “My heart is shattered knowing that the men who killed my father are going to be released from prison,” she said.
Both Claiborne and Richardson were convicted for the murder and remain in prison for other charges. Despite their past conviction, Biden chose to grant them clemency as part of a larger push to release inmates convicted of nonviolent drug offenses. However, his decision to include these two men—whose actions caused irreversible harm—has sparked intense controversy.
This decision is part of a broader pattern of clemency actions taken by Biden as he nears the end of his presidency. While some applaud the move as a necessary step towards criminal justice reform, others, like Youngkin and Miyares, see it as a failure to honor the memory of fallen heroes and a betrayal of the justice system.
The outcry over this clemency decision highlights a larger debate about criminal justice reform and the balance between mercy and accountability. As this story continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the pain and anger felt by those who loved Officer Gibson is far from over.
