I had a feeling this day would come when Janet Danahey pleaded guilty to to first-degree murder for the fatal fire she started 10 years ago, which resulted in a life sentence with no parole.
Now we learn she’s seeking clemency from Gov. Bev Perdue. Lots going on here, including the statement from her attorney at the time saying there was no offer of a plea bargain:
Attorney Jim Kimel, who represented Danahey at the time, saw no way around the felony murder rule.
“The way I looked at it, we weren’t going to get instructed on a lesser charge,” Kimel said. “She was charged with first-degree murder and the sentence for that is life without parole. This was the best she was going to do. It’s what I thought and what she thought. It’s one of the hardest days I’ve ever had as a lawyer.”
Kimel hopes the petition succeeds.
“She’s made a good record for herself in prison, and I feel that if anybody is worthy of clemency, it’s Janet Danahey,” Kimel said.
Another factor is the favorable political climate, considering the fact that Perdue is not seeking reelection. Last but not least is the fact that “Greensboro leaders Jim Melvin, Mike Weaver and Doug Galyon were also among 36 people listed on the petition” for clemency. Question — what is it to them whether or not Janet Danahey spends the rest of her life jail for starting a fire that killed four innocent people?
