Governor removes convicted murderer from death row (Kernan / Indiana)

[struggle4progress]

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — With just three days left in his term, Gov. Joe Kernan removed a convicted murderer from death row Friday and called for a review of how fairly Indiana administers the death penalty.

Kernan granted clemency to Michael Daniels, an Indianapolis man convicted of killing an Army chaplain in 1978 in a $1 robbery as the minister shoveled snow from his driveway with his 15-year-old son.

The son now also is a minister who opposes the death penalty. He said he has forgiven Daniels, and was happy with the governor's decision. <snip>

Kernan said that evidence casting doubt on Daniels was never presented in court, and that Daniels' IQ has been measured at 77, just above the level to be considered mentally retarded. <snip>

http://www.saukvalley.com/282334115057478.bsp


Condemned Inmate Denied Relief Sought Through Law Change

(January 8, 2005 - Indianapolis - AP) -- The Indiana Supreme Court won't overturn a death sentence despite a change in state law.

A judge sentenced Eric Holmes to death for the 1989 murders of two restaurant workers in Indianapolis even though the jury recommendation was not unanimous.

Indiana's death penalty statute was amended in 2002 and no longer allows a person to be executed if a jury is unanimous against it.

The state's high court ruled last year that nobody who was condemned contrary to that change in state law should be executed. <snip>

http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=2783000&nav=0Ra7Uyj9