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The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has
ruled in Governor Chafee's favor in the
Jason Pleau case. |
The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston ruled on October 13 that
Governor Lincoln Chafee does not have to turn accused murderer Jason Pleau over to federal authorities
so he can face the death penalty.
Chafee has refused to turn over Pleau, citing Rhode Island's long-standing opposition to the death penalty. Rhode Island was
one of the first states to abolish capital punishment,
having completely abolished it for all crimes in 1852. Only seven of Rhode Island's 52 executions took place after statehood. The death penalty was
last carried out in RI in 1845, before the Civil War.
The U.S. attorney's office is reviewing the ruling, and the case is expected to end up before the Supreme Court. Which may not be good news for Pleau
given that the Supremes failed to stop the
execution of Troy Davis, who proclaimed his innocence to the
end, whereas Pleau has already admitted his guilt.
By Linda Felaco
