[CUADPUpdate] Gov. Riley Issues 45-Day Stay of Execution

[Abraham J. Bonowitz]

With apologies for the very rare three messages to this list in one day....

Thanks to All who took action!  Please continue 
action calling for the DNA test, as requested by The Innocence Project.

see 
http://deathpenaltyusa.blogspot.com/2007/09/innocence-project-raises-questions.html 
for action and case details....

--abe

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OFFICE OF GOVERNOR BOB RILEY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  SEPTEMBER 27, 2007


Governor Riley Issues 45-Day Stay of Execution

MONTGOMERY – Governor Bob Riley granted a brief 
stay of execution to Thomas Arthur, a death row 
inmate who was scheduled to die by lethal injection at 6 p.m. Thursday.

The Governor made the decision to grant a stay of 
45 days and met with Commissioner Richard Allen 
of the Alabama Department of Corrections on Thursday morning.

“The evidence is overwhelming that Thomas Arthur 
is guilty and he will be executed for his 
crime.  The decision to grant a brief stay is 
being made only because the state is changing its 
lethal injection protocol, and this will allow 
sufficient time for the Department of Corrections 
to make that change,” Governor Riley said.  “It 
is my desire that, as soon as the stay has 
expired, justice will be administered to Thomas 
Arthur.  I have encouraged the Attorney General 
to make a motion with the Alabama Supreme Court 
for a new date of execution as soon as possible.”

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For more information, contact the Governor's Press Office at 334-242-7150.