Clinton to stay execution of federal prisoner

Clinton to stay execution of federal prisoner
REUTERS

WASHINGTON, JULY 7: President Bill Clinton will postpone the first federal execution in nearly four decades so the condemned man can apply for clemency under pending new guidelines, the White House said on Friday.

White House spokesman Jake Siewert told reporters Clinton will stay the August 5 scheduled execution of Juan Raul Garza after the President receives new Justice Department clemency guidelines, expected within the next week or so.

Garza was convicted in 1993 and sentenced to death for ordering three men's death to further his control over a marijuana-smuggling organisation based in Texas. Although there have been 651 state executions since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976, there has not been an execution under federal law since 1963. "The President wants to make sure that Garza has a full opportunity to submit a request for clemency," Siewert said.