I found this quite interesting, especially since it is so unique in the “modern era.” An Army Private, that has been on death row for 20 years, will not have much longer to wait. The President has authorized his execution. While the article doesn’t say when the execution will be, I would assume that it will occur before the years end. I doubt this will be an election issue, but it might.
The following comes from the Politico. I recommend you visit their site so they receive credit for providing the article and to read the parts that I’ve left out.
Statement from the White House:
President Bush this morning accepted the recommendation of the Secretary of the Army to approve a sentence of death for Army Private Ronald A. Gray, affirming the sentence that resulted from a general court martial for multiple charges of murder and rape committed while serving as a member of the Armed Services. While approving a sentence of death for a member of our Armed Services is a serious and difficult decision for a Commander-in-Chief, the President believes the facts of this case leave no doubt that the sentence is just and warranted. Private Gray was convicted of committing brutal crimes, including two murders, an attempted murder, and three rapes. The victims included a civilian and two members of the Army. Because additional legal challenges are expected in this case, we will decline to comment further. The President’s thoughts and prayers are with the victims of these heinous crimes and their families and all others affected.
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Hmmm…sounds like this guy deserves the death penalty whether he was military or not.
Ummm, they sure didn’t waste time on Timothy Mcveigh in turning him into worm dirt. Texas has an express lane too,lol.
On a hypothetical: What would happen if 2-3 days before the general election, for whatever reason, McCain bit the dirt? Would there be a built in contingency, or would Obama get a free “win”? As long as it has taken for the primaries, how could you have a viable replacement, that would have even a remote chance to win? And would it be whoever was to be VP? Even flip it for Obama: If hillary was VP, and Obama had the same misfortune, would she instantly become the presidential candidate? I know its a hypoth/silly question, but makes one wonder… I don’t think the same rules would apply if it was after the election. That event is already covered on the chain of succession.
If it occurs just before the election, McCain’s name would not be able to be removed from ballots (especially for those who voted absentee). It would be up to the GOP to select a “replacement,” which would most-likely be the VP on the ticket. If memory serves me correctly, John Ashcroft lost his Governor re-election in Missouri to the widow of the person on the ticket, so an untimely death wouldn’t be a first.