Phil in Paris
12-19-2004, 07:45 AM
The Associated Press
December 16, 2004, 11:58 AM EST
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands -- The European Union has asked the governor and parole board of Connecticut to delay or halt the planned execution of a confessed serial killer, the Dutch government said Thursday.
The execution of Michael Ross, scheduled for Jan. 26, would be the first in New England since 1960.
The Netherlands currently holds the rotating European Union presidency and issued a statement on behalf of all 25 EU member countries.
The EU, which opposes capital punishment, said in a letter to U.S. authorities that a freeze on carrying out death sentences was a "first step" toward abolition.
It asked Gov. M. Jodi Rell "to grant a reprieve to Mr. Ross to allow for deliberation on this complex and emotive issue." It called on the chairman of the Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles "to exercise all the powers vested in your office to grant clemency."
Ross admitted killing eight women in eastern Connecticut and New York in the early 1980s, and raping most of his victims. He has been in prison for 20 years - 17 on Connecticut's death row - for four murders.
A hearing in the case is scheduled for Dec. 28 to determine whether Ross is competent.
Copyright © 2004, The Associated Press
http://fox61.trb.com/hc-ap-ross-europe-1216,0,2072543.story?coll=wtic-home-2
December 16, 2004, 11:58 AM EST
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands -- The European Union has asked the governor and parole board of Connecticut to delay or halt the planned execution of a confessed serial killer, the Dutch government said Thursday.
The execution of Michael Ross, scheduled for Jan. 26, would be the first in New England since 1960.
The Netherlands currently holds the rotating European Union presidency and issued a statement on behalf of all 25 EU member countries.
The EU, which opposes capital punishment, said in a letter to U.S. authorities that a freeze on carrying out death sentences was a "first step" toward abolition.
It asked Gov. M. Jodi Rell "to grant a reprieve to Mr. Ross to allow for deliberation on this complex and emotive issue." It called on the chairman of the Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles "to exercise all the powers vested in your office to grant clemency."
Ross admitted killing eight women in eastern Connecticut and New York in the early 1980s, and raping most of his victims. He has been in prison for 20 years - 17 on Connecticut's death row - for four murders.
A hearing in the case is scheduled for Dec. 28 to determine whether Ross is competent.
Copyright © 2004, The Associated Press
http://fox61.trb.com/hc-ap-ross-europe-1216,0,2072543.story?coll=wtic-home-2