Del. Bobby Mathieson (D-21st), has joined the call for the inclusion of remedy for Arthur Whitfield in the special session of the General Assembly, scheduled for August 19.
… I call for the legislature and Governor Kaine to use this special session to avoid a miscarriage of justice by addressing the situation confronting Arthur Whitfield, a man wrongly imprisoned for 22 years and in desperate need of help. Public safety is a two way street – we must ensure that criminals meet swift justice, but we must also make amends to those wronged by our justice system.
Mathieson is a former police officer and has made public safety a priority. His entire press release is below the fold.
MATHIESON SUPPORTS CALL FOR SPECIAL SESSION
Important to keep criminals behind bars and guarantee justice for Arthur Whitfield
Virginia State Delegate Robert W. “Bobby” Mathieson commented on the need for the upcoming special session and in support of seeing justice served for Arthur Whitfield:
“I support Governor Kaine’s call for a special session to address the Supreme Court’s ruling in Melendez-Diaz v. Massachusetts because there will be a substantial impact on the justice system unless we act now. Swift and proper justice is the hallmark of public safety, and I have stood with public safety officers all my life – I will continue to do so in this special session.
“Similarly, I call for the legislature and Governor Kaine to use this special session to avoid a miscarriage of justice by addressing the situation confronting Arthur Whitfield, a man wrongly imprisoned for 22 years and in desperate need of help. Public safety is a two way street – we must ensure that criminals meet swift justice, but we must also make amends to those wronged by our justice system.”
Delegate Mathieson represents portions of central Virginia Beach, first winning election in 2007. He served as the deputy director of the Department of Criminal Justice Services under Governors Warner and Kaine, and he previously served as a police officer in Virginia Beach for 27 years.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 