ROANOKE TIMES 

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

DATE: MONDAY, March 4, 1991                   TAG: 9103040297
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

GOVERNOR CAN'T ORDER AN EXECUTION

A FEB. 17 article by Landmark News Service about the Giarratano case said that Gov. Wilder "already has sent three men to the electric chair."

I was not aware that a governor of Virginia or any other state of this Union has (or has had) the authority to send anyone to the electric chair or to any other form of execution.

Such a statement in a supposedly professional context is hardly an excusable thing. It is sloppy, irresponsible journalism and slanderous in its implications. If political bias is involved, it is shameful.

For what it is worth, I favor the death penalty; but in a case such as this, I feel that we could afford a new trial rather than cater to the sometimes doubtful rules of the legal profession. The lawyers and judges are not at risk. BREWSTER SNOW NATURAL BRIDGE STATION 


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