ATTORNEY GENERAL MIKE MCGRATH
STATE OF MONTANA

FOR RELEASE: August 23, 2007

CONTACT: Lynn Solomon, 444-0582 or Judy Beck, 444-5774

McGrath Issues Statement on Decision on Beach Clemency Application

HELENA – Montana Attorney General Mike McGrath released the following statement in response to a decision (PDF) issued by the Montana Board of Pardons and Parole.

I commend the Board for an extensive and thorough review of the record. The decision confirms what the initial trial and subsequent appeals have found – that the evidence supports that Barry Beach committed this crime.

I am grateful that the Board has, in its own words "laid this matter to rest."

Thursday the Board released a 20-page decision unanimously declining to make a recommendation to the governor for commutation or pardon for Barry Beach.