Gov. Warner (D-Va.) Commutes Death Sentence

Governor Mark R. Warner today averted what was likely to become America's 1000th execution since the reinstatement of the death penalty by the Supreme Court in 1976. The governor's remarks should also be heard in other cases with an execution pending. The Washington Post writes: "Warner said in a statement that the destruction by an Arlington County court clerk of DNA evidence that might have cleared Lovitt convinced him." He continued:

"In this case, the actions of an agent of the Commonwealth, in a manner contrary to the express direction of the law, comes at the expense of a defendant facing society's most severe and final sanction," Warner said in the statement. "The Commonwealth must ensure that every time this ultimate sanction is carried out, it is done fairly.

Fairness is the key! In any legal case it is the responsibility of everyone to be fair. This is especially true in the case of the death penalty. The Singaporean government should closely listen to Gov. Warner's words.