By Christina Bellantoni and Keyonna Summers
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
November 30, 2005
Virginia Gov. Mark Warner last night ordered clemency for Robin Lovitt, who was scheduled to be executed tonight for a 1998 stabbing death of a pool hall manager in Arlington.
Lovitt instead will serve life in prison without the possibility of parole. The Democratic governor, who leaves office in January, said the destruction of DNA evidence in the case warranted the extreme measure of commuting Lovitt's sentence.
"I believe clemency should only be exercised in the most extraordinary circumstances," Mr. Warner said in a statement. "Among these are circumstances in which the normal and honored processes of our judicial system do not provide adequate relief; circumstances that, in fact, require executive intervention to reaffirm public confidence in our justice system."
It is the first time Mr. Warner has commuted a death sentence since taking office in January 2002 -- 11 prisoners have been executed during his term. There are 28 persons remaining on death row, according to Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. One Virginia prisoner is scheduled to die before Gov.-elect Timothy M. Kaine is sworn in on Jan. 14, but the execution is expected to be delayed by the appeal process.
"The commonwealth must ensure that every time this ultimate sanction is carried out, it is done fairly," Mr. Warner said.
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