Outgoing Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour's decision to pardon numerous people, including a man convicted of murder, was controversial, to say the least. Since that happened in January, the state's attorney general has challenged many of the pardons, pointing to a requirement that those pardoned first need to file legal notices in newspapers near where the alleged crimes were committed.

The man, who was one of four convicted of murder to be pardoned, currently resides in another state. His attorney says he does not plan to attend a hearing in the Mississippi Supreme Court this week about the constitutionality of the pardons.

According to CNN, the man's attorney says, "He's not a fugitive and there's no valid order that says he needs to appear." The attorney also notes that there is not much point to the man being there, saying he would only be a spectator if he went. It's possible that the man could be held in contempt for refusing to go, as the attorney general's office has threatened. However, a legal analyst for CNN doesn't view that as a likely scenario.

The man's attorney is also questioning whether there is any jurisdiction that would allow a court to revisit a pardon, according to CNN. If the man's pardon is ultimately declared invalid, it's possible the attorney general could get an arrest warrant and return the man to Mississippi.

It remains to be seen what will happen. Either way, the court's decision could have a profound effect on scores of people.

Source: CNN, "Lawyer: Pardoned murderer 'not going' back to Mississippi for hearing," Rich Phillips, Feb. 6, 2012