ROANOKE TIMES 

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

DATE: TUESDAY, March 12, 1991                   TAG: 9103120422
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

VIRGINIA SHAMED BY WILDER PARDON

THE STATE of Virginia hung her head in shame the day Douglas Wilder was elected as her governor, not because Wilder is black but rather for his position on abortion.

Virginia was humiliated again when Gov. Wilder pardoned a confessed murderer and rapist, just hours before he was scheduled to die in the electric chair. Under the terms of his pardon, Joe Giarratano could be back on the streets in a few years to murder and rape again.

All of the appeals courts had turned down a new trial. Mary Sue Terry should be commended for her stand that Giarratano is guilty of the crimes for which he was convicted and will not be given a new trial.

There was no merit to this pardon other than Gov. Wilder's belief that it will bring him political gain down the road. JESSE C. HUBBARD GLADE HILL 


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