"It was just cold blooded. He has no business being out of jail," said Jackson County Sheriff Mike Byrd.

Byrd was stunned when he learned of Michael Graham's release. After all, it was less than two decades ago when Graham killed his ex-wife.

It was April 7, 1989. Adrienne Graham was waiting in her car on the Mississippi Coast when suddenly her ex-husband pulled up and shot her at close range with a 12-gauge shot gun.

"He told her he was going to kill her," said Adrienne Graham's brother-in- law, William Purchis.

Gautier Mayor Pete Pope was Jackson County's Sheriff at the time of the killing.

"I think I it is a slap in the face to the criminal justice system to turn this man back out," said Pope.

Graham actually has served as a trusty at the governor's mansion for the last eight years, and despite being a model prisoner, Graham's brother-in-law is scared of what he could do when he walks out of jail.

The governor's office says Graham will remain under the supervision of the Mississippi Department of Corrections through the remainder of his sentence.
A spokesman for the governor has declined further comment.

Graham served 19 years before the sentence was commuted. The prison agency says Graham's commutation can be revoked if he doesn't meet parole terms.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.