| WASHINGTON
- May 16 - Noting Oklahoma's accelerated pace of executions this year,
Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) today called on the Oklahoma
Pardon and Parole Board to recommend clemency for Robert
Knighton, scheduled to be executed on May 27. The Board will
consider Knighton's clemency appeal on Tuesday, May 20.
"Oklahoma has already witnessed seven executions this year,
matching its record for all of last year, which earned the state
the dubious distinction of second highest executioner in the
nation," said Sue Gunawardena-Vaughn, Director of AIUSA's Program
to Abolish the Death Penalty. "Given the increasing awareness of
the numerous inherent flaws in the death penalty system, Oklahoma
should reverse its disturbing trend by taking the first step of
granting clemency to Robert Knighton."
Knighton is accused of murdering Virginia and Richard Denney
in their home in Noble County in 1990. One of the people
campaigning against his execution is Sue Norton, Richard Denney's
adopted daughter. Over the years, Sue Norton and Robert Knighton
have been in regular contact, and she says that she has forgiven
him for the violence committed against her family.
"The death penalty is often cited as an issue of victims'
rights, yet a growing number of murder victims' relatives are
saying that it is time to stop killing in their names," said
Karin Lau, AIUSA's Oklahoma Anti-Death Penalty Coordinator. "We
support Sue Norton, and call on Oklahoma leaders to demonstrate
that they can offer viable alternatives to victims of violence
rather than the hollow promise of revenge."
Who: Karin Lau of AIUSA, Sue Norton of Murder Victims Families
for Reconciliation, and others
Where: Oklahoma State Capitol, south side steps
When: Monday, May 19 at 1:30 p.m.
Press Conference Contact: Karin Lau 405-816-2642
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