Prosecutor: Lakewood 4 shooting accomplice’s early release ‘absurd’

The sister of Maurice Clemmons will not have to serve the entirety of her five-year sentence, for serving as an accomplice in the 2009 murder of four Lakewood Police officers.

Clemmons shot and killed Sgt. Mark Renninger and Officers Tina Griswold, Gregory Richards, and Ronald Owens in an ambush in 2009 as they sat in the Lakewood coffee shop. Clemmons was shot and killed by a Seattle police officer two days after the murders.

Clemmons’ sister, LaTanya Clemmons was convicted of rendering criminal assistance. According to prosecutors, LaTanya Clemmons was living with Dorcus Allen, the getaway driver, and drove Allen to Federal Way where he got a motel room to hide from police.

LaTanya Clemmons was found guilty, as a judge found that her actions delayed police in their apprehension of Allen, and ultimately finding Clemmons.

“We aggressively prosecuted everyone who helped Maurice Clemmons,” said Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist. “As to LaTonya Clemmons, we sought the maximum sentence of five years, and the judge agreed with us and imposed the maximum sentence.”

Lakewood Police Lt. Chris Lawler released a statement on behalf of the Lakewood Police Department regarding LaTanya Clemmons’ early release. “We are disappointed that LaTanya Clemmons is not being required to serve out the full term of her five-year sentence for her involvement in the case involving the murder of our four officers.”

“A sentence of five years, should be five years, or something close to that,” Lindquist said. “I understand giving sometime off for good behavior, but 50 percent off is absurd.”

According to Lakewood Police, upon release, LaTanya Clemmons will be serving some of her time at a work release facility.