Congressional Black Caucus Asks Louisiana Gov. To Pardon Bell, Jena 6

Well who would expect anything different from Gov. Blanco. You see, Blanco quickly finds cover by having her spokeswoman say that the governor is unable to grant pardons without a recommendation from the Louisiana Pardon Board.

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New Orleans, LA (AHN) -- Fifteen lawmakers from the Congressional Black Caucus have asked Gov. Kathleen Blanco for clemency on behalf of Mychal Bell and five other black teens dubbed the "Jena 6."

"We believe Mychal Bell and the Jena 6 have paid a sufficient debt to society for any transgressions they may have committed," Lee wrote in her letter on Wednesday. "The pardon power was regarded by the Founding Fathers as the 'power of grace' because of its capacity to bring about healing and reconciliation. That is what is sorely needed in Jena today."

Blanco's spokeswoman, Marie Centanni, is quoted by the Associated Press as saying that the governor is unable to grant pardons without a recommendation from the Louisiana Pardon Board.

A similar request made by the caucus to Blanco in September was received with a statement from Blanco's office saying the governor can only grant pardons after a person has been convicted and sentenced. More HERE