Sept. 7 TEXAS: Judge Mulls Blocking Panetti's Execution A federal judge in Austin will decide the fate of a man who killed his in-laws 12 years ago in Fredericksburg. 45-year-old Scott Panetti's mental state has come into question, and the judge will decide whether to block his execution. Outside court on Tuesday, Panetti's family and family members of the victims clashed over the possible outcome. "He's delusional," said Victoria Kathleen Panetti, the inmate's sister. "He doesn't understand the real reason why he's supposed to be executed and that breaks my heart." But others see only the images of a heinous crime. The victim's niece, Angela Alvarado, said, "If you're truly mentally ill, then, of course, I don't expect you to be executed. But he's led a normal life most of his life." Scott Panetti sits on death row for the September 8, 1992 death of his father and mother-in-law. During his trial, he wore a cowboy suit and called Jesus Christ as a witness. He also blamed the crime on an alter ego, but still he was sentenced to death. The events tipped off a decade-long legal battle involving mental illness. "If they feel like they can take a life, why should their life be spared?" Alvarado said. "They took 2 lives. My grandmother will never be able to see her eldest son again." In these proceedings, it's left up to a federal judge to determine whether or not Scott Panetti understands why the state wants to execute him. And for the family, it may be the final plea against the death penalty in this case. "You have to be compassionate and put yourself in their place and think what is all behind this," said Yvonne Panetti, the inmate's mother. "There is a lot more to this story than meets the eye, and that's what I want everybody to know." "I think this a setback in our society as a whole to do this to a mentally ill person," said Victoria Panetti. More evidence is scheduled on Tuesday in the Panetti hearing. The federal judge could decide to block his death sentence or clear the way for execution. (source: KXAN News) *********************** My name is Letty Gonzales I am a sister of a man who is set to be executed on the 21st of Sept. I just finished writing clemency letters for him to stop this horrible sentencing. I believe that on the 21st of this month if my brother is executed that me and my family become victims of the states hand. I hope and pray that people can open their hearts and there eys and see that this just doesn't work. I pray that one day we can Abolish the Death penalty. ******************************* IDAHO: Federal appellate withdraws ruling on Idaho death row inmate A federal appellate court has withdrawn its June decision throwing out the death sentence for murderer Richard Albert Leavitt. But the 3 judge panel Tuesday kept alive Leavitt's challenge to his execution on grounds that he didn't have effective legal representation. The panel of the Ninth U-S Circuit Court of Appeals says he should get a chance to prove that to a district judge. He was denied the chance to make the argument earlier on procedural grounds. The 35-year-old Blackfoot man was condemned for the 1984 slaying of Danette Jean Elg, who was stabbed 15 times and sexually mutilated in her apartment. (source: Associated Press) NORTH CAROLINA: Voter's Voice: Views About Death Penalty Not As Clear-Cut Polls consistently show that most North Carolinians support the death penalty, but when it comes to putting those executions on hold, it is not so clear-cut. When supporters of a 2-year moratorium gathered in the spring, they released a statewide poll that showed 63 % of North Carolinians favor at least a temporary halt to the death penalty while 28 % opposed the moratorium. Now, a Voter's Voice Poll, indicates almost the opposite. Only 36 % favor the moratorium versus 54 % opposed. "I don't know why the inconsistencies," said Beth McAllister, of the N.C. Coalition for a Moratorium. McAllister said conflicting poll numbers will not stop her group's mission to cease executions while the state re-evaluates the justice system. "We have killed innocent people," she said. Moratorium supporters point to Alan Gell and Darryl Hunt, both wrongly convicted, as examples of injustice. Death penalty backers point to them as well. "When the 2 came down and testified to the General Assembly that we need to stop the death penalty, they had already been released," said Rep. Sam Ellis, R-Wake. "That's not an indication that there's a failure. That's an indication the system is working the way it ought to work." Ellis said it is no surprise the group has worked longer to pass the measure than the two-year moratorium they seek. "I believe it's a disguised attempt to ultimately eliminate something that the people of North Carolina have overwhelmingly reaffirmed their support for," Ellis said. "People of faith who lead that movement, I'm sure, will start all over again. We have another legislative session in January," McAllister said. It may be a very political issue, but the moratorium should not play a role in the governor's race. Both Patrick Ballantine and Gov. Mike Easley support the death penalty and oppose the moratorium. The Voter's Voice Poll draws sharp distinctions based on race. 30 % of white voters in the poll favor the death penalty moratorium compared with 71 % of black voters. African-Americans make up the majority of North Carolina's death row inmates. Officials say 106 inmates on death row are African American while 71 inmates are white. The Voters' Voice Poll is a project by WRAL-TV, the News & Observer and WUNC radio. (source: WRAL News)
