
Joe Biden’s clemency for Adrian Peeler, who was convicted in connection with the murders of Karen Clarke and her son Leroy “B.J.” Brown in 1999, has drawn widespread condemnation. The killings, carried out to silence a child witness in a murder case, led to the establishment of Connecticut’s witness protection program.
Peeler’s sentence was commuted in Biden’s final days in office, allowing his release in July 2025. He had previously served a 20-year state sentence for conspiracy to commit murder before beginning a federal sentence for drug trafficking. The decision to shorten his federal term has been labeled a miscarriage of justice by victims’ families and state officials.
Double murderer Adrian Peeler will be released this year thanks to Biden. He shot a 7 year-old in the back of the head and riddled his mom with lead. We need common sense criminal control. https://t.co/DUXZdmM6H8
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) January 27, 2025
The brutal crime shocked the community of Bridgeport, where Clarke and her son were killed on orders from Peeler’s brother, Russell, to eliminate witnesses to a prior shooting. The case highlighted the dangers faced by witnesses and led to legislative changes to safeguard those willing to testify.
As the Senator alluded to, Connecticut created an entirely new witness protection program as a result of Adrian Peeler executing the son and his mother in their home – to cover up a different murder as a part of his drug ring.
Biden set this man free, effective July. pic.twitter.com/jwK2vD9iMa
— Max Meyer (@mualphaxi) January 26, 2025
Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal described the clemency as a failure of oversight, noting its impact on the victims’ families and public trust in the justice system. Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim also criticized the decision, calling it a betrayal of the families who suffered from the crime.
A drug dealer murdered a mother and her 8 year old as they witnessed his crimes.
He was in federal prison on drug charges.
According to the ACLU, Reason, and Cato, he was a "non-violent drug offender."
Now he's free.
Great job weed heads.https://t.co/f0aSfPcYC0
— Cernovich (@Cernovich) January 28, 2025
Federal prosecutors handling Peeler’s drug case were not consulted prior to the clemency decision, sparking additional outrage. Critics argue that the process failed to account for the gravity of Peeler’s crimes and the harm inflicted on the community.
Adrian Peeler was the farthest thing from a "nonviolent drug offender." This is yet another sobering example of the irresponsible and incompetent leadership from the Biden administration.
And now a drug trafficker who murdered a young boy and his mother is due to be set free. https://t.co/3UsvNTx9Ps
— CTGOP (@CTGOP) January 27, 2025
The memory of Clarke and Brown is honored in Bridgeport through a park and mural dedicated to their lives. Community leaders insist that such clemency decisions erode faith in the justice system and disregard the ongoing pain of victims’ families.