Civil rights attorney Ben Crump and political strategist Angela Rye have thrust themselves into the national spotlight with a bold request following President Biden's controversial pardon of his son Hunter.
According to The Hill, the prominent civil rights advocates are calling for President Biden to extend his pardoning power to former Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby, who is currently serving house arrest after federal convictions.
The push for Mosby's pardon comes in the wake of Hunter Biden's unexpected presidential pardon for federal gun and tax charges. Both cases share a connection through prosecutor Leo Wise, who was involved in both prosecutions.
Mosby's current situation stems from convictions on mortgage fraud and perjury charges earlier this year. Her sentence includes one year of home confinement followed by two years of supervised release, while she continues to fight for her law license.
The Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland has attempted to suspend Mosby's law license, though the Maryland Supreme Court has denied this request pending her appeals case. The legal proceedings have drawn significant attention from civil rights organizations and leaders across the country.
Multiple prominent figures, including Reverend Al Sharpton, the NAACP, and members of the Congressional Black Caucus, have rallied behind Mosby throughout her legal challenges. Their support emphasizes the racial justice implications of her case.
Crump and Rye issued a powerful statement highlighting the disparity in justice system outcomes. According to the civil rights leaders:
There are thousands of people who have been wrongfully convicted and sit in federal prisons today. While Hunter Biden was selectively prosecuted, he's not the only one.
The advocates also drew attention to Kim Gardner's case, another prominent legal figure who faced ethics violations charges. Gardner, a former St. Louis circuit attorney, ultimately accepted a plea deal after the Mississippi Supreme Court's ruling.
Their advocacy extends beyond individual cases to address systemic issues in the justice system. The civil rights leaders are seeking a direct dialogue with President Biden to discuss broader applications of his pardoning power.
President Biden's decision to pardon his son Hunter has created an unexpected opening for discussions about criminal justice reform. The timing of the pardon, coming just before Hunter Biden's scheduled sentencing, has intensified the debate.
The case has highlighted the presidential pardon power's scope and potential impact on justice system equity. Civil rights leaders argue that this precedent should extend to others facing similar circumstances.
Ben Crump and Angela Rye's advocacy for Marilyn Mosby's pardon represents a critical juncture in the ongoing dialogue about presidential pardons and justice system equity. Their request, prompted by President Biden's pardon of his son Hunter, highlights the broader implications for thousands of individuals currently in the federal system.
The situation continues to evolve as Mosby serves her house arrest sentence while pursuing appeals. Meanwhile, civil rights leaders await President Biden's response to their request for discussions about expanding his pardon power to address what they view as systemic inequities in the justice system.
