Alabama column: Is Gov. Riley powerless or gutless?

01.07.08

A column in yesterday’s Birmingham News criticizes Alabama Gov. Bob Riley for his failure to grant DNA testing that could show the guilt or innocence of death row inmate Tommy Arthur. Riley recently said he didn’t have the authority to order the tests, but state Attorney General Troy King wrote in a brief last year (in another case) that "if the Governor wants DNA testing, the Governor gets DNA testing."

Innocence Project Co-Director Peter Neufeld called Riley’s claim to lack authority a “mean-spirited lie” and said that the governor was “elevating political expediency over matters of life and death.” In yesterday’s column, Robin DeMonia writes that “Riley could do it. Either he doesn't want to, or he doesn't have the guts.”


Read the full column here

. (Birmingham News, 01/06/08)

Using our easy form, nearly 1,500 people have sent emails to Gov. Bob Riley calling on him to grant DNA testing in Arthur’s case.

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