In Tallahassee, Gov. Jeb Bush signed a death warrant Wednesday for a
convicted child molester who strangled another inmate. The execution
was
scheduled on the date of the 25th anniversary of Florida's 1st since
the
death penalty was restored in 1976.

John Blackwelder received a death sentence after pleading guilty to
murdering convicted killer Raymond Wigley on May 6, 2000 at Columbia
Correctional Institution in Lake City.

Blackwelder, 49, formerly of Fort Pierce, testified he wanted to
commit
a
crime to get the death penalty because he was unable to accept life
in
prison. He was serving a life sentence for sexually assaulting a
10-year-old boy in St. Lucie County but insisted he was innocent.

The execution, by lethal injection, is set for 6 p.m. on May 25 at
Florida
State Prison in Starke.

Anti-death penalty activist Abe Bonowitz compared Blackwelder's
death
wish
to "suicide by cop" in which people try to end their lives by doing
something to make police shoot them.

"This time it's suicide by governor," said Bonowitz, executive
director
of
Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty.

Blackwelder will be the 7th such death penalty volunteer to be
executed
since Bush took office in 1999, he said.

"Poor Gov. Bush is in a stuck position," Blackwelder wrote in an
April
20
letter to another anti-death penalty activist, Hannah Floyd.

"Let's say he does not sign the death warrant, it will tell anyone
with
LWPOP (life without probation or parole) he has a 'license to kill,'"
Blackwelder wrote. "If the governor signs the warrant then it sends a
different message, and that is anyone that has a LWPOP can now get
state
assisted suicide by killing an inmate or staff."

The Florida Supreme Court affirmed Blackwelder's conviction and death
sentence in July after an automatic appeal. He then filed a motion to
waive any more appeals.

Blackwelder said he killed Wigley, 39, of Fort Worth, Texas, because
he
was harassing him for a sexual relationship. Investigators said it
was
a
consensual relationship.

Prison guards found Wigley, also serving a life sentence, with a
sheet
tied around his neck and bleeding from the head.

Wigley and John Marek, who was sentenced to death, were convicted of
the
rape, torture and murder of Adella Maria Simmons in 1983. The
47-year-old
secretary was on her way back from a vacation when her car broke
down
on
the Florida Turnpike near Jupiter.

The pair offered to give Simmons a lift to an emergency phone but
instead
drove 60 miles to Dania, where her body was found the next morning
in a
lifeguard shack.

Marek, 42, remains on death row.

Blackwelder was also convicted in 1991 on federal charges of
threatening
Quayle. He had called the Secret Service, Miami television stations
and
the TV series "America's Most Wanted," saying he would "eliminate"
Quayle
and "put him on slab" unless he received $10 million.

During the 1970s, Blackwelder served a 9-year sentence for a sexual
assault in Miami.

(source: Associated Press)

I wonder if the one brother Bush is trying to outdo the other brother Bush?

oh my....only Jeb would consider it a celebration by conducting it on the 25th anniversary...sorry, but I really hate this man and dont have anything nice to say about him :blah:

Obviously the Bush's think they own the world. SICK!!!

Jeb will normally mark only his personal dates, like last death warrent he signed was for Johnny Robinson, right on the christmas holidays, now his found a new target to do his anniversary death warrent. His so sick, this is wrong.
It totally saddens me that there are such cruel people in the world. Jeb and his team are pure evil.

Yes it does appear the Jeb is following in brother George's footsteps, though he does have a long way to go to match his brothers ominous record. I have nothing good to say about the Bush Dynasty either and it amazes me how they can be so pompous and sit in such judgement when members of their own families have been involved in criminal activity: drug and alcohol related infractions as well as smuggling goods back from foriegn countries without paying taxes.

But there is one good thing to say about Jeb Bush. Jeb Bush is at least working to save the life of Terri Shiavo, who's guardian wants her dead. Michael Schiavo's method of execution is: death by starvation and dehydration, carried over a period of 7 to 15 days until death. We may not all back Jeb Bush's plan as far as the death penalty goes, but I can sure side with him when it comes to protecting the disabled.

MrCoffee

Mr Coffee
I am glad that Jeb has some compassion in his heart for Terri. As for the death penalty issues, I have to say I disagree with him totally, though I must admit, he isnt as unkind as alot of states, such as Texas.
Still..... he can put a stop or halt on all executions. Maybe the fight for Terri will put compassion in his heart for all the men on Florida Death row.

You can always hope that he will side with life, Kyla. Both for Terri, and for the convicts on death row. I have a great deal of respect for you, Kyla, because you are not only against the death penalty, but also against involuntary euthanasia and assisted suicide. You have shown a great deal of support for the rights of those who are not able to speak for themselves. I will listen to your opinions on this board before considering others because of where you stand on these issues.

I think it would be good if Bush can win an appeal for Terri. If so, then perhaps Jeb can take another look at the criminal justice system in his state in regards to the death penalty. There is always a chance for a change of heart. But that can only happen if human rights are supported for everyone, including Terri.

MrCoffee

You know the Shiavo case reminds me of something that just happened. A young girl 15 years lost control of her car and it crashed. The said she was brain dead and her family had decided to pull the plug on her. It was delayed for a few days, because her Dad was in a Federal prison and they were working at getting permisson for him to see his daughter one last time. Well Thank God they waited, because when her Dad got there, she opened her eyes. This had never happened, they are saying it is going to be a long recovery for her, but she is alive.

We never know when a miracle is around the corner. We have no right to play God and that is what Michael is trying to do. I could go on and on about Terri because the whole thing really makes me angry beyond belief.

If Gov Bush does something about her case and stands up for her. I only hope he realizes that all life is sacred. maybe helping her will put some compassion in his heart if possible.

I only hope that the ones that have a voice will continue and speak up for her and all the others that don't have a voice.

Maybe one day there will be no more DP and people like Terri's voice will be heard for all to hear.

Ok I am kicking my soap box out from under myself.
softie

You know the Shiavo case reminds me of something that just happened. A young girl 15 years lost control of her car and it crashed. The said she was brain dead and her family had decided to pull the plug on her. It was delayed for a few days, because her Dad was in a Federal prison and they were working at getting permisson for him to see his daughter one last time. Well Thank God they waited, because when her Dad got there, she opened her eyes. This had never happened, they are saying it is going to be a long recovery for her, but she is alive.

Indeed, all life is sacred. There is an advantage to a LWOP sentence. If new evidence ever springs up, then the convicted person will have a chance to prove is inocence (if indeed he is inocent). As you say, softheart, the death penalty is final and it can never be reversed. It has to be completely fool-proof. Thank you for bringing that up, softheart.

MrCoffee