In his final days in office, Joe Biden granted clemency to Adrian Peeler, a convicted drug dealer linked to the 1999 murders of a Connecticut mother and her young son. The move has drawn widespread condemnation from victims’ families and state officials.
Peeler was convicted of conspiracy to murder Karen Clarke and her 8-year-old son Leroy “B.J.” Brown. Prosecutors say Peeler carried out the killings on orders from his brother, Russell, to prevent the boy from testifying in a murder trial against him. The tragic case spurred Connecticut to establish a witness protection program, underscoring its impact on the state.
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
Originally sentenced to 35 years for drug trafficking, Peeler’s federal sentence was shortened through Biden’s commutation. Without this action, he would have remained in prison until 2033. Instead, Peeler is now set for release in July 2025. Critics have called the decision a miscarriage of justice and a betrayal of the victims’ families.
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
Senator Richard Blumenthal, who served as Connecticut’s attorney general during the original case, said the clemency was a “terrible mistake.” Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim echoed the sentiment, calling the decision “outrageous.” Both officials have called for an overhaul of the clemency process to prevent similar outcomes.
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
Clarke’s family, including her brother Oswald, expressed shock and anger over the commutation. They said the decision reopens wounds and dismisses the pain the family has endured for decades. Clarke and Brown were remembered through a park and mural in Bridgeport, but this decision has reignited the community’s grief.
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
Federal prosecutors revealed they were not consulted before Biden’s decision, raising questions about how Peeler’s case was evaluated. Calls for transparency and reform in the clemency system have grown louder following the backlash from this controversial move.
