GOVERNOR'S STATEMENT ON DECISION TO COMMUTE DEATH PENALTY

VATICAN CITY, JAN 29, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy See Press Office today released the following statement issued on January 28 by the office of Governor Mel Carnahan of Missouri:

"Yesterday afternoon Pope John Paul II asked me to commute the death sentence of Darrell Mease. The Pope asked me to, in his words, 'have mercy on Mr. Mease' in reaching this decision. I took into account the extraordinary circumstances of the Pope's request and the historical significance of the papal visit to the city of St. Louis and the state of Missouri. After careful consideration of his direct and personal appeal and because of a deep and abiding respect for the Pontiff and all that he represents, I decided last night to grant his request. I commuted the sentence of Darrell Mease to life in prison without the possibility of parole."

OP;CLEMENCY;...;MISSOURI; CARNAHAN ;VIS;19990129;Word: 150;