By Antonio D. French
Filed Monday, October 24 at 6:50 PM
October 24, 2005 -- Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay today urged Missouri Governor Matt Blunt to halt the execution of Marlin Gray, which is scheduled to be carried out on Wednesday.
In his letter to the Governor, Clay said, "A review of Mr. Gray's appeal raises serious doubts about the testimony of key witnesses and the conduct of the prosecutor during both the trial and sentencing phases of the case. There is also reason to believe that key evidence was suppressed. And finally, multiple sources have confirmed that police used violence and coercion to obtain confessions, which were then admitted at trial as evidence."
Clay pointed to similarities between the Marlin Gray appeal and the case of Larry Griffin which the Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce recently agreed to review. (Griffin was executed in 1995 and is now believed to have been innocent.) "The similarities in the Griffin case and Mr. Gray's appeal are striking. As Governor, you have the power to stop this potentially tragic mistake by preventing another wrongful execution in Missouri. I pray that you will have the vision and courage to act now, before it is too late," said Clay.
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