Release Of Bridgeport Man At Center Of Double Murder Concerns Leaders

BRIDGEPORT, CT — Adrian Peeler, who was convicted of conspiracy in two 1999 murders in Bridgeport, has been released from federal prison, but his whereabouts are unknown to city officials, which Mayor Joe Ganim says is a problem.

In one of his final acts while in office, President Joe Biden granted clemency to Peeler and several other individuals in federal custody on drug charges.

After serving his 25-year sentence in connection with the murders of Karen Clarke and her 8-year-old son, LeRoy "BJ" Brown, Jr., Peeler was serving time for a drug conviction, which Biden's action erased.

At a news conference Thursday, Ganim and Police Chief Roderick Porter both lamented the fact that city officials have been left in the dark about Peeler's release. See the Facebook video below.

"I feel compelled, and the Chief can speak as well, about our outrage, our concern, and reaction to the release of [Adrian] Peeler," Ganim said. "But also about the way it was done, this clemency, pardon process, that leaves so many questions unanswered."

The fact that Peeler's whereabouts are unknown to city leaders is "not only an affront, but a major concern for our city and the community," Ganim said.

Ganim, who overcame his own legal problems to become Bridgeport's mayor for a second time, was quick to say that he believes in rehabilitation and second chances, but has no information about that as it relates to Peeler.

Peeler could be Bridgeport or another community in Connecticut, Ganim said, but he and city law enforcement leaders have not been briefed about his release.

"This was a heinous, heinous act," Porter said of the murders. "Bridgeport has come a long way since then."

Porter added about the release, "This is not what criminal justice is about. If this can be reversed, this needs to be reversed."