
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, February 18, 1991                   TAG: 9102180344
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A/8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

JUSTICE SYSTEM FAILS IN GIARRATANO CASE

THE VIRGINIA criminal justice system has failed disastrously in the case of Joseph Giarratano, scheduled for execution Friday. Unless thousands of Virginians speak out immediately on behalf of Giarratano and justice, the state will kill a man who never received a fair trial and who is very likely innocent of the murders he was convicted of.

The case for Giarratano's guilt is not even plausible, much less proven beyond reasonable doubt. Many reasonable and respected observers share this conclusion, including columnist James Kilpatrick.

Gov. Wilder can grant Giarratano a conditional pardon that would lead to a new trial, but so far has refused. Every Virginian should write or call Wilder and demand that he allow Giarratano a fair trial.

TOM CHILDRESS

BLACKSBURG

by CNB