Virginia to execute first woman inmate in 98 years
The US State of Virginia is set to execute a woman for the first time in nearly 100
years.The U.S. Supreme Court yesterday refused to block the execution of Teresa Lewis,
who pleaded guilty in May 2003 to two counts of capital murder for hire in the slayings
of her husband Julian Lewis and her stepson, Charles Lewis.
Lawyers for the
woman say she was manipulated by one of the gunmen, and claim she is borderline mentally
retarded. Her former prison chaplain, Baptist minister Lynn Litchfield has been pleading
for the woman’s life.
“I think that what is happening to Teresa is unjust,”
she said. “I’m not excusing her crime. I think she deserves to be in prison, and
punished, and held accountable for her behaviour. But I do not believe she deserves
to die for it.”
Governor of Virginia Bob McDonnell has refused to consider
a clemency request.
The Virginia State Catholic Conference has asked people
to contact the governor and ask him to change his decision.Only 11 woman have been
executed in the United States since capital punishment was reinstated in 1976, as
compared to over 1200 men. Of the more than 3200 inmates currently on death row across
the country, 53 are women.