[Deathpenalty] death penalty news-----FLA., MONT.

[Rick Halperin]

May 15



FLORIDA:

Jamaican on death row renews call for Government support... shows evidence
of previous requests


LANCELOT ARMSTRONG, the Jamaican man on death row in Florida, continued
the fight to save his life just over a week ago, when a hearing was held
to determine how much his case might have been prejudiced.

The hearing arose from the failure of the prosecution to disclose that a
key witness in Armstrong's original trial had a criminal record.

Armstrong's attorney, David Rowe, told The Gleaner that at the May 4
hearing, the court considered how the non-disclosure of the criminal
record of that particular (prosecution) witness' affected Mr. Armstrong's
ability to represent himself at the original trial.

The biggest test for Armstrong will probably come in a few weeks, however,
when the court considers whether to commute his death sentence to life
imprisonment.

If the court rules to uphold the death penalty, it would be left to
Florida's Governor, Jeb Bush, to decide whether to grant clemency. His
chances of clemency are considered slim, however, as the governor has
repeatedly stated his strong support for the death penalty for anyone
found guilty of killing members of the police force.

Armstrong was convicted for the murder of Broward Sheriff's Deputy John
Greeney, on February 17, 1990. Armstrong and another man, Ercely Wayne
Coleman, with whom he worked, were accused of killing the policeman during
a robbery at a restaurant.

(source: Jamaica Gleaner)






MONTANA----execution date set//volunteer

Judge sets execution date for convicted killer Dawson


In Billings, a district judge today set an execution date of August 11th
for killer David Dawson.

Judge Gregory Todd in Billings also issued a death warrant in the case.

The 48-year-old Dawson was sentenced to death for taking a family captive
at a Billings motel in 1986. He killed David and Monica Rodstein and their
son, Andrew.

The couple's teenage daughter, Amy, was rescued.

Dawson appealed his conviction and sentence in both state and federal
court. But 2 years ago, he began a new legal fight to end those appeals
and hasten his execution.

His attorneys are continuing their fight to keep him alive.

(source: Associated Press)