A Maryland woman connected to the deaths of three men has been released under President Joe Biden’s historic clemency initiative. Josephine Virginia Gray, nicknamed the “Black Widow,” was sentenced to 40 years in 2002 for insurance fraud tied to the murders of her two husbands and a boyfriend.
The White House claimed Biden’s clemency recipients were all convicted of “non-violent crimes,” but critics argue Gray’s actions disprove that claim. James Trusty, the federal prosecutor in Gray’s case, described her release as a “betrayal” of justice. “Her story is written in blood,” Trusty stated.
@JoeBiden ‘Black Widow,’ Who Murdered 3 Ex-Lovers, Freed in Biden’s Historic Clemency Spree.
A Maryland woman dubbed the "Black Widow" for murdering two husbands and a boyfriend for insurance money is now free after President Joe Biden commuted her 40-year prison
— Bad Optics 🇺🇸🐂 (@BadOptics4U) December 19, 2024
Prosecutors say Gray collected $165,000 in life insurance payouts after orchestrating the deaths of her victims between 1974 and 1996. Witnesses at her trial testified that Gray intimidated them with threats, including voodoo. Maryland authorities opted not to pursue state murder charges, assuming her federal sentence would ensure she died in prison.
Gray was released after serving much of her sentence on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her release is part of a broader clemency program, described by the White House as addressing historical “injustices” in sentencing.
Black Widow Who Murdered Three Men Released by Joe Biden.https://t.co/DuZa9esF40
A Maryland woman who murdered two of her husbands and her boyfriend for the insurance payouts is the recipient of Joe Biden's "historic" clemency executive action that saw 1,500 criminals have their…— 𝙳𝚎𝚗𝚗𝚢 𝙾𝚠𝚎𝚗𓂀 (@realdennyowen) December 19, 2024
The decision to release Gray has drawn criticism from those questioning Biden’s process for selecting clemency recipients. Gray’s case is not the only controversial decision. Among those granted relief were individuals convicted of corruption, drug crimes and fraud, including a Pennsylvania judge involved in a “Kids for Cash” scheme.
I just read that Biden pardoned a woman, Josephine Gray, who murdered two husbands & a boyfriend for the insurance money over the span of 20 years.
What is going on with these pardons? He's more than doubled FDR's, the previous pardon leader, who was in office for 12 years…— John Bullen (@protagonist2012) December 19, 2024
Trusty said he learned of Gray’s release through a court docket alert, calling it a shocking and unjustifiable decision.
