Tallahassee, Fla., Jan 22, 2006 / 22:00 pm
Florida's bishops have urged Gov. Jeb Bush to consider granting clemency to two convicted murderers who are scheduled for execution by lethal injection in the next 10 days.
''Reflecting on the continuous exposure to violence in society, which hardens the hearts and minds of even our youngest members, we reiterate our plea for respect for life, even for those who are guilty of violence,'' the bishops said Thursday in a public statement.
The pain of the victims’ families “cannot be wiped away by another death,” they wrote.
The Catholic governor, who has already signed the inmates’ death warrants, has not yet responded to the request, reported The Associated Press.
Clarence Hill’s execution is scheduled for Tuesday. Hill, 47, was convicted for killing a police officer during a 1982 bank robbery.
Arthur Rutherford's execution is scheduled for Jan. 31. Rutherford, 56, was convicted for killing a woman by drowning in 1985. An appeal for Rutherford is scheduled for Jan. 26.