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Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Youngkin grants clemency to fired police sergeant convicted after fatally shooting unarmed man
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, granted clemency to a fired police sergeant just days after the officer was sentenced to prison in connection with shooting and killing an unarmed man accused of stealing sunglasses. Wesley Shifflett, 36, was sentenced Friday to three years in prison after he was found guilty of recklessly handling a firearm in the Feb. 22, 2023, killing of 37-year-old Timothy McCree Johnson. He was acquitted of involuntary manslaughter in Johnson's death. Youngkin granted Shifflett clemency on Sunday, allowing the officer to be freed from prison, although his felony conviction will remain. "I am convinced that the court's sentence of incarceration is unjust and violates the cornerstone of our justice system—that similarly situated individuals receive proportionate sentences," Youngkin said in a statement. "I want to emphasize that a jury acquitted Sgt. Shifflett of the more serious charge of involuntary manslaughter, a conviction for which the sentencing guidelines recommend no jail time or up to six months' incarceration." Gov. Glenn Youngkin Offers Support To Federal Workers Fired By Doge: 'We Care About You' "In this case, the court rejected the Senior Probation and Parole Officer's recommendation of no incarceration nor supervised probation and instead imposed a sentence of five years' incarceration with two suspended and an additional five years of probation," the governor continued. "Sgt. Shifflett has no prior criminal record, and was, by all accounts, an exemplary police officer. It is in the interest of justice that he be released immediately." Read On The Fox News App Youngkin also noted that his clemency does not limit Shifflett's right to appeal his conviction for reckless discharge of a firearm. Johnson's mother, Melissa Johnson, said Youngkin's decision felt as if it validated Shifflett's killing of her son. "Why now do we find it necessary to vacate or not consider the jury's verdict, and to think that this honorable and fair judge did not sentence within the guidelines that he was afforded to?" she said at a news conference on Monday. "I don't know where everyone's coming from — if it's because my son was Black, or because it was attempted shoplifting, or because he's not here to defend himself." Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano, a Democrat whose office prosecuted the case, said at the news conference that the governor "stuck his face in where it didn't belong." "If you care about having a fair justice system of Virginia that's untainted by outside influence, Glenn Youngkin just spit your face," Descano said. Descano also argued that the governor was siding with a "White officer that was convicted of a crime that ended in a Black man being killed." During the trial, prosecutors argued that Shifflett, who at the time was a sergeant with Fairfax County police, acted recklessly when he shot and killed Johnson after a short foot pursuit outside Tysons Corner Center. Police had received a report from security guards that Johnson had stolen sunglasses from a Nordstrom department store. Shifflett and another officer chased Johnson into a densely wooded area near the mall before Shifflett shot twice at Johnson, who was unarmed. The former sergeant testified that he shot Johnson in self-defense after he believed Johnson reached into his waistband once he fell. Body camera video played during the trial showed Shifflett yelling "Get on the ground" before firing two shots at Johnson two seconds later. After firing his weapon, Shifflett immediately shouted, "Stop reaching," and purported to other officers that he observed Johnson putting his hand in his waistband. Shifflett testified that his "motor functions were operating more quickly than I could verbalize." Virginia Governor Promises 'Full Cooperation' With Ice To Deport Illegal Immigrants Johnson was heard in the footage saying, "I'm not reaching for nothing. I don't have nothing." Melissa Robey, executive director of the police advocacy group We Black Blue, said Monday that Shifflett's mother called her three weeks ago about her son's upcoming sentencing hearing to ask for help. Robey, who previously worked in Youngkin's administration, said she contacted Shifflett's attorneys, who ultimately lobbied the governor for clemency. "Somebody's got to say 'Enough is enough,'" Robey said. "These guys put that uniform on every single day — they're there for your worst day. When is it time to stand up for them?" The Associated Press contributed to this article source: Youngkin grants clemency to fired police sergeant convicted after fatally shooting unarmed man
Fox News
04-03-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Youngkin grants clemency to fired police sergeant convicted after fatally shooting unarmed man
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, granted clemency to a fired police sergeant just days after the officer was sentenced to prison in connection with shooting and killing an unarmed man accused of stealing sunglasses. Wesley Shifflett, 36, was sentenced Friday to three years in prison after he was found guilty of recklessly handling a firearm in the Feb. 22, 2023, killing of 37-year-old Timothy McCree Johnson. He was acquitted of involuntary manslaughter in Johnson's death. Youngkin granted Shifflett clemency on Sunday, allowing the officer to be freed from prison, although his felony conviction will remain. "I am convinced that the court's sentence of incarceration is unjust and violates the cornerstone of our justice system—that similarly situated individuals receive proportionate sentences," Youngkin said in a statement. "I want to emphasize that a jury acquitted Sgt. Shifflett of the more serious charge of involuntary manslaughter, a conviction for which the sentencing guidelines recommend no jail time or up to six months' incarceration." "In this case, the court rejected the Senior Probation and Parole Officer's recommendation of no incarceration nor supervised probation and instead imposed a sentence of five years' incarceration with two suspended and an additional five years of probation," the governor continued. "Sgt. Shifflett has no prior criminal record, and was, by all accounts, an exemplary police officer. It is in the interest of justice that he be released immediately." Youngkin also noted that his clemency does not limit Shifflett's right to appeal his conviction for reckless discharge of a firearm. Johnson's mother, Melissa Johnson, said Youngkin's decision felt as if it validated Shifflett's killing of her son. "Why now do we find it necessary to vacate or not consider the jury's verdict, and to think that this honorable and fair judge did not sentence within the guidelines that he was afforded to?" she said at a news conference on Monday. "I don't know where everyone's coming from — if it's because my son was Black, or because it was attempted shoplifting, or because he's not here to defend himself." Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano, a Democrat whose office prosecuted the case, said at the news conference that the governor "stuck his face in where it didn't belong." "If you care about having a fair justice system of Virginia that's untainted by outside influence, Glenn Youngkin just spit your face," Descano said. Descano also argued that the governor was siding with a "White officer that was convicted of a crime that ended in a Black man being killed." During the trial, prosecutors argued that Shifflett, who at the time was a sergeant with Fairfax County police, acted recklessly when he shot and killed Johnson after a short foot pursuit outside Tysons Corner Center. Police had received a report from security guards that Johnson had stolen sunglasses from a Nordstrom department store. Shifflett and another officer chased Johnson into a densely wooded area near the mall before Shifflett shot twice at Johnson, who was unarmed. The former sergeant testified that he shot Johnson in self-defense after he believed Johnson reached into his waistband once he fell. Body camera video played during the trial showed Shifflett yelling "Get on the ground" before firing two shots at Johnson two seconds later. After firing his weapon, Shifflett immediately shouted, "Stop reaching," and purported to other officers that he observed Johnson putting his hand in his waistband. Shifflett testified that his "motor functions were operating more quickly than I could verbalize." Johnson was heard in the footage saying, "I'm not reaching for nothing. I don't have nothing." Melissa Robey, executive director of the police advocacy group We Black Blue, said Monday that Shifflett's mother called her three weeks ago about her son's upcoming sentencing hearing to ask for help. Robey, who previously worked in Youngkin's administration, said she contacted Shifflett's attorneys, who ultimately lobbied the governor for clemency. "Somebody's got to say 'Enough is enough,'" Robey said. "These guys put that uniform on every single day — they're there for your worst day. When is it time to stand up for them?"
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Virginia Legislative Black Caucus condemns Youngkin's decision to commute sentence of former Fairfax County police sergeant
RICHMOND, Va. () — The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus released a statement condemning Gov. Glen Youngkin for commuting a former Fairfax County Police Department sergeant's sentence. Sgt. Wesley Shifflett was sentenced on Friday, Feb. 28, to serve three years in prison for during a police pursuit. He was accused of shoplifting at Tyson's Corner Center. 'Legacy on Ice' skating benefit raises over $1M for families, first responders impacted by deadly midair collision near DCA On Sunday, March 2, , stating that it was 'unjust.' 'I am convinced that the court's sentence of incarceration is unjust and violates the cornerstone of our justice system—that similarly situated individuals receive proportionate sentences. I want to emphasize that a jury acquitted Sgt. Shifflett of the more serious charge of involuntary manslaughter, a conviction for which the sentencing guidelines recommend no jail time or up to six months' incarceration,' Youngkin's statement read in part. The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus said on Monday, March 3, that Youngkin's decision is 'reckless.' Following Shifflett's conviction for the reckless handling of a firearm, Johnson's mother acknowledged 'that most Black and Brown families that find themselves in this situation do not get this far … Today's verdict has provided Mr. Shifflett a second chance-a benefit that my son, Timothy McCree Johnson, was not afforded.' Members of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus believe this pardon is reckless and a gross misuse of power that threatens public safety. We will not allow him to use the chaos his friends are causing in Washington as cover to evade consequences as he places a recently convicted, violent criminal back in our communities. Virginia Legislative Black Caucus FOR-IMMEDIATE-RELEASE_-The-Virginia-Legislative-Black-Caucus-Condemns-the-Governors-Commutation-of-Former-Officer-Wesley-Shiffletts-SentenceDownload Former NOAA employees protest 'illegal' firings outside Silver Spring headquarters that she found out about the commutation from media reports, and the governor's office had not reached out to her in advance of the announcement. 'It felt like I could hear my son's voice crying out from the dirt at Tysons Corner mall again, saying, 'Why did you shoot me? I didn't have anything.' That's what it felt like,' she said. Shifflett's defense attorneys can still file appeals to have the conviction itself overturned. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Youngkin grants clemency to a fired Virginia police sergeant who shot and killed an unarmed man
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Days after a judge sentenced a Virginia police officer to prison in the fatal shooting of an unarmed man accused of stealing sunglasses, the state's Republican governor granted the fired officer clemency, meaning he won't have to serve further time behind bars. Wesley Shifflett, 36, was sentenced Friday to three years in prison after he was convicted of recklessly handling a firearm during the Feb. 22, 2023, shooting of Timothy McCree Johnson. The jury acquitted him of involuntary manslaughter. Gov. Glenn Youngkin granted Shifflett clemency on Sunday, removing his prison requirement but keeping intact his felony conviction. 'I am convinced that the court's sentence of incarceration is unjust and violates the cornerstone of our justice system — that similarly situated individuals receive proportionate sentences," Youngkin, a Republican, said Sunday. In his statement, Youngkin referred to sentencing guidelines recommending no incarceration for Shifflett that were proposed by a probation and parole officer, which is a routine practice in felony criminal sentencing. Johnson's mother, Melissa Johnson, said she felt Youngkin's decision validated Shifflett's killing of her son. 'Why now do we find it necessary to vacate or not consider the jury's verdict, and to think that this honorable and fair judge did not sentence within the guidelines that he was afforded to?' Melissa Johnson said at a Monday news conference. 'I don't know where everyone's coming from — if it's because my son was Black, or because it was attempted shoplifting, or because he's not here to defend himself.' Steve Descano, the Democratic commonwealth's attorney for Fairfax County whose office prosecuted the case, said at the news conference that Youngkin 'stuck his face in where it didn't belong.' 'If you care about having a fair justice system of Virginia that's untainted by outside influence, Glenn Youngkin just spit your face," he said. During the trial, prosecutors argued that Shifflett, then a sergeant with Fairfax County police, acted recklessly when he shot and killed Johnson after a short foot chase outside Tysons Corner Center. Shifflett and his team at the police department received a report from security guards that Johnson had stolen sunglasses from a Nordstrom department store. After identifying Johnson, Shifflett and another officer chased him into a densely wooded area near the mall, where Shifflett fired twice at the man. Shifflett testified that he shot Johnson, who was 37 years old, in self-defense after he saw Johnson reach into his waistband after falling. The dimly lit bodycam video played during his trial shows Shifflett yelling 'Get on the ground,' and then firing two shots at Johnson two seconds later. After the shots were fired, Shifflett immediately shouted, 'Stop reaching,' and told other officers that he saw Johnson putting his hand in his waistband. During the trial, Shifflett testified that his 'motor functions were operating more quickly than I could verbalize.' Body-camera video from officers that night showed people gathered around Johnson while he cried, 'Hurry.' Soon after, Johnson can be heard saying, 'I'm not reaching for nothing. I don't have nothing.' The legal battle leading to Shifflett's clemency came with twists and turns. Following the shooting, the police department fired Shifflett. Initially, a grand jury declined to indict him, but Descano's office received court approval for a special grand jury to reinvestigate. The second panel indicted Shifflett last October. After his conviction, Shifflett's attorneys filed a motion for Bellows to set aside the verdict. In a January court memo, Bellows denied Shifflett's request, writing that there was 'sufficient evidence in the record for the jury to find the defendant guilty of this offense.' Melissa Robey, executive director of We Black Blue, a police advocacy organization, said Monday that Shifflett's mother called her three weeks ago about her son's looming sentencing hearing, asking for help. Robey, who said she previously worked in Youngkin's administration, said she contacted Shifflett's attorneys, who ultimately pioneered lobbying the governor for clemency. 'Somebody's got to say 'Enough is enough,' Robey said, adding: 'These guys put that uniform on every single day — they're there for your worst day. When is it time to stand up for them?' Robey stood with the crowd of reporters gathering around Descano and Melissa Johnson as they described their reaction to Youngkin's actions. While Descano argued that the governor was siding with a 'white officer that was convicted of a crime that ended in a Black man being killed,' Robey shouted: 'That's not true.' Melissa Johnson called back: 'It is true. You're entitled to your own opinion, but keep it to yourself.' ___ Olivia Diaz is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Olivia Diaz, The Associated Press
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Youngkin grants clemency to a fired Virginia police sergeant who shot and killed an unarmed man
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has granted clemency to a former police sergeant who shot and killed an unarmed man accused of stealing sunglasses. Wesley Shifflett, 36, was sentenced to three years in prison on Friday after he was convicted of recklessly handling a firearm during the Feb. 22, 2023, shooting of Timothy McCree Johnson. The jury acquitted him of involuntary manslaughter. Youngkin's executive action late Sunday means Shifflett will serve no further time behind bars, but his felony conviction will remain. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. 'I am convinced that the court's sentence of incarceration is unjust and violates the cornerstone of our justice system — that similarly situated individuals receive proportionate sentences," Youngkin, a Republican, said Sunday. In his statement, Youngkin referred to sentencing guidelines recommending no incarceration for Shifflett that were put forward by a probation and parole officer, which is a routine practice in felony criminal sentencings. Steve Descano, the Democratic commonwealth's attorney for Fairfax County whose office prosecuted the case, said in a statement that he was outraged by the governor's decision. 'Glenn Youngkin has spent the last four years honing his Trump impersonation, and now he's following in his footsteps by commuting sentences just to score political points," Descano said. "This is an insult to all Virginians who value an untainted justice system.' Johnson's mother, Melissa Johnson, is expected to join Descano at a news conference later Monday to address Youngkin's action. During the trial, prosecutors argued that Shifflett, then a sergeant with Fairfax County police, acted recklessly when he shot and killed Johnson after a short foot chase outside Tysons Corner Center. Shifflett and his team at the police department received a report from security guards that Johnson had stolen sunglasses from a Nordstrom department store. After identifying Johnson, Shifflett and another officer chased him into a densely wooded area near the mall, where Shifflett fired twice at the man. Shifflett testified that he shot Johnson, who was 37 years old, in self-defense after he saw Johnson reach into his waistband after falling. The dimly lit bodycam video played during his trial shows Shifflett yelling 'Get on the ground,' and then firing two shots at Johnson two seconds later. After the shots were fired, Shifflett immediately shouted, 'Stop reaching,' and told other officers that he saw Johnson putting his hand in his waistband. During the trial, Shifflett testified that his 'motor functions were operating more quickly than I could verbalize.' Body-camera video from officers that night showed people gathered around Johnson while he cried, 'Hurry.' Soon after, Johnson can be heard saying, 'I'm not reaching for nothing. I don't have nothing.' The legal battle leading to Shifflett's clemency came with twists and turns. Following the shooting, the police department fired Shifflett. Initially, a grand jury declined to indict him, but Descano's office received court approval for a special grand jury to reinvestigate. The second panel indicted Shifflett last October. After his conviction, Shifflett's attorneys filed a motion for Bellows to set aside the verdict. In a January court memo, Bellows denied Shifflett's request, writing that there was 'sufficient evidence in the record for the jury to find the defendant guilty of this offense.' ___ Olivia Diaz is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. ___
