Profiles in Courage
Governor Patton Issues Pardon
Governor Paul Patton of Kentucky acted to spare the life of Kevin Stanford,
who was convicted and sentenced to death for the 1981 slaying of Baerbel
Poore in Jefferson County, Kentucky. Stanford was 17 at the time of
his crime. The U.S. Supreme Court refused to set aside his sentence,
despite worldwide pleas for a ban on the execution of juvenile offenders.
Patton said he would decide later the terms of Stanford’s commutation, whether
it would be life without parole, which would guarantee that Stanford would
never be released from prison, or a lesser sentence that might make him eligible
for parole.
Governor Ryan Empties Illinois Death Row
As one of his last official acts before leaving office in January, outgoing
Illinois Governor George Ryan pardoned four condemned men and commuted the
death sentences of 167 others to life in prison without parole. By
emptying the Illinois Death Row just 48 hours before he left office, the
Governor took action to address a deeply flawed death penalty system.
Governor Ryan, a former supporter of capital punishment, said, “Our capital
system is haunted by the demon of error. Error in determining guilt
and error in determining who among the guilty deserves to die.” This
is a turning point in the debate over capital punishment. We applaud
Governor Ryan for his courage and leadership in making this decision.
VA Judge Overrules Death Sentence
Pittsylvania County Circuit Judge William N. Alexander II overturned a
jury’s recommendation of the death penalty in favor of a life sentence for
Roy Inge, Jr. The judge was within his authority to do this, but his
decision has been the discussion of much public debate in the Danville community,
as he did not offer an explanation for his actions.