Attorneys argue: CA Death Row inmate "too old and frail to be executed"

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

Oldest death row inmate loses appeal for life
Schwarzenegger denies clemency for 76-year-old behind three murders

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10841350/

SAN FRANCISCO - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger denied clemency Friday to California's oldest condemned convict, who asked to be spared because of his age and infirmities.

Clarence Ray Allen, 75, who ordered the hits of three people at a Fresno market while he was behind bars at Folsom State Prison in 1980, told Schwarzenegger that he was too old and frail to be put to death Jan. 17 at San Quentin State Prison.

Allen, who turns 76 on the eve of his execution, often uses a wheelchair and had to be resuscitated after suffering a heart attack last year at San Quentin.

“The spectacle of Mr. Allen being wheeled into the death chamber, unable to walk and unable to see those who have come to witness his execution, violates all standards of decency and would amount to nothing more than the purposeless and needless imposition of pain and suffering prohibited by the Eighth Amendment,” said Annette Carnegie, one of Allen’s attorneys.



Clarence Ray Allen, 75, is scheduled to die Tuesday in California for ordering hits on three people from behind bars at Folsom Prison in 1980. Allen's attorneys argue he is too old and frail to be executed.

[awoke_in_2003]

1. "had to be resuscitated after suffering a heart attack"

oh, the irony. Had to save his life to take it. I won't paint this guy as some kind of victim, but when will we, a supposedly civilized country, give up on the death penalty?

[catnhatnh]

2. Terminal Irony.....

it is sad that this guy is our latest poster child in the anti-death penalty movement....I hate and oppose the death penalty, but I sure wish he was a bit more sympathetic....even in opposition to the death penalty, I have supported the extradition and trial of ancient Nazis (though not for execution) and find the old and feeble excuse ridiculous- obviously recidivism is ruled out but never culpability....we should never allow the state to kill but on this one the arguments used are poor...