The Hattiesburg American Editorial, 12/26/8
Governor Haley Barbour has sparked a two-state controversy over his decision to furlough a convicted rapist to his parents’ home in Louisiana.
Louisiana officials are upset over the 90-day release of inmate Leslie Bowlin, who was sentenced to life plus 25 years in 1991 for kidnapping and raping a Mississippi State University student.
“For a governor to be letting somebody out for 90 days is unbelievable. That is insane,” Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell said.
Caldwell learned that Bowlin was back in the state after he notified the local sheriff that he was a sex offender and back in the parish.
According to Barbour’s furlough order, Bowlin was released to his parents’ custody so he could get a psychiatric evaluation by specialists. He was limited to his parents’ home and appointments for the evaluation.
Magnolia Tribune
