GAINESVILLE, FL -- March 31 -- As Florida Governor Jeb Bush mourns the passing of Terri Schiavo in the wake of his personal and extraordinary efforts to keep her alive, the clock is ticking on another Floridian who is about to receive a state-assisted suicide. As the final chapter of the Schiavo saga was heating up a month ago, Bush signed a death warrant for Glen J. Ocha. Ocha, who has legally changed his name to Raven Raven, is a suicidal and mentally ill man who waived his appeals and is scheduled for execution at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 in revenge for his murder of Carol Skjerva.

"I still firmly believe that human life is a gift and a mystery, and that its mystery is most evident at its beginning and ending. May all of us whose hearts were moved during the life of Terri Schiavo grow in wisdom at its ending," said Governor Bush in a statement sent to the Governor's e-mail list shortly after Schiavo passed away.

"I certainly hope Governor Bush has gained some wisdom about the value of life -- all life," said Abe Bonowitz, director of Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (FADP). "We hope and pray that he will now adopt a consistently pro-life policy."

Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (FADP) calls on Governor Jeb Bush to reverse himself and stop the state-assisted suicide of Glen Ocha (pronounced "O'Shea").

Glen Ocha is suicidal and demonstrably mentally ill. Detailed background is available at http://www.fadp.org/takeact.html#background

"Suicide-by-Governor is getting very popular in Florida," said FADP Director Abe Bonowitz, noting that five of the last eight Florida executions were of prisoners who waived their appeals and asked to be killed. So far Governor Bush has overseen the execution of 16 prisoners, seven of whom have been volunteers.

"Ocha committed a horrible crime and then demanded to be executed. Once again Governor Bush is playing into the hands of a convicted murderer who just wants to die. Why is it that the only way you can get an assisted suicide in this state is if you murder someone and go to death row?" asked Bonowitz

If this killing goes forward, it will be the 60th execution in Florida since 1979 and the 17th under Governor Jeb Bush. More information about Florida executions is available at http://www.fadp.org/Florida_executions.html.

FADP Director Abe Bonowitz is available for interviews at 800- 973-6548

WEB: http://www.FADP.org

Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty works for restorative justice in the form of effective alternatives to the death penalty. It does so by

• supporting and coordinating the work of organizations and individuals
  
• educating and energizing the general public and state legislators
  
• supporting the many persons affected by capital crime and punishment
  
• advocating specific legislative improvements

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