The release of a convicted murderer on a pardon by outgoing Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour is reportedly drawing criticism by relatives of the victim and the state's House Democratic leader.

Department of Corrections officials say that David Gatlin, 40, was released on Sunday after being pardoned by Barbour, who leaves office on Tuesday. Gatlin, who has worked as a trustee at the governor's mansion, was denied parole less than two weeks ago.

Gatlin was sentenced to life in prison for killing his estranged wife, Tammy Ellis Gatlin, in 1993 and shooting her longtime friend, Randy Walker. Walker survived. The shootings took place in Brandon, Miss