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Post by unkelremus on Feb 8, 2010 20:14:29 GMT -6
FLORIDA----impending execution Fla. justices refuse to halt execution next week The Florida Supreme Court on Monday refused to halt the execution of a man convicted of murdering a state wildlife officer 25 years ago. The justices rejected Martin Edward Grossman's claims that he wasn't given a fair chance to prove his trial lawyer had been ineffective nor allowed to present certain mitigating evidence against a death sentence. Grossman's execution is set for next week. In a 6-0 unsigned opinion, the justices wrote that his arguments had been raised and rejected in prior appeals. The high court also ruled Grossman was premature in claiming he may be mentally incompetent. An insanity claim first must go to Gov. Charlie Crist for a ruling before it can be appealed. Upon being notified that an inmate may be incompetent, state law requires the governor to appoint a panel of three psychiatrists to examine the prisoner before making a decision based on the panel's recommendations. A spokeswoman for a state legal office that represents death row inmates said a federal court appeal also is planned. Grossman, 45, is set for execution Feb. 16 for the 1984 murder of wildlife officer Margaret "Peggy" Park, 26, in a wooded area of Pinellas County. Park was shot with her own gun after confiscating a stolen handgun Grossman, then 19, and another teen had been shooting in the woods. Grossman, who was on probation for a burglary, beat Park with her flashlight as she picked up her radio microphone to call the sheriff's office, prosecutors said. They said she drew her gun and fired a shot that missed before Grossman wrestled it from her and shot her once in the back of the head. Chief Justice Peggy Quince did not participate in the ruling. This Scumbucket is on short time .........Good riddance...
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mike5
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Post by mike5 on Feb 8, 2010 20:37:00 GMT -6
This is what they base their claim on that he is incompetent to execute: MR. GROSSMAN’S 8TH AMENDMENT RIGHT AGAINST CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT WILL BE VIOLATED AS HE MAY BE INCOMPETENT AT THE TIME OF EXECUTION.
In accordance with Florida rules of Criminal Procedure 3.811 and 3.812, a prisoner cannot be executed if “the person lacks the mental capacity to understand the fact of the impending death and the reason for it.” This rule was enacted in response to Ford v. Wainwright, 477 U.S. 399, 106 S.Ct. 2595 (1986).
The Mr. Grossman has been incarcerated since 1984. Statistics have shown that an individual incarcerated over a long period of time will diminish his mental capacity. Inasmuch as Mr. Grossman may well be incompetent at time of execution, his Eighth Amendment right against cruel and unusual punishment will be violated. Relief is proper.
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Post by Elric of Melnibone on Feb 8, 2010 20:47:42 GMT -6
Fine. We execute and give the rest a year and a day. Simple fix.
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Post by rayozz on Feb 8, 2010 23:18:25 GMT -6
I thought there were three standards of retardation. You had to show mental problems at the time of the crime, and also prior to the offense. Then there is the current mental state. He appeared in court recently and appeared to be competent.
He also completed his Bah Mitzmah (sp) at 12. I am not Hebrew, but I understand that this is a fairly intellectual process.
Rayozz
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Post by Breka on Feb 9, 2010 1:11:18 GMT -6
All this could have been dealt with 15 years ago - and was already discussed befoe - so whats the point to start argue again - Indirectly all these proceedings are a slap in the face of the victim - who got robbed her live ! Competent to kill - but not competent to face the consequences ? Where is the balance ?
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Post by mysteron09 on Feb 10, 2010 9:29:01 GMT -6
All that a Bar Mitzvah means is that the kid was called up to read from the Torah for the first time. Generally, the kid reads a selection from the Book of Prophets that's related to whatever the week's portion in Exodus, Leviticus, etc. is. Most kids do it phonetically - only the Orthodox kids understand it.
There's a bit of noise going on in the Orthodox community about saving Grossman. These guys haven't heard of the likes of Karla Faye Tucker, so they don't get the jailhouse conversion gambit. You'd think that a bunch of folks who are ordinarily strict law and order types would get it.
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Post by Rob on Feb 10, 2010 19:34:34 GMT -6
All that a Bar Mitzvah means is that the kid was called up to read from the Torah for the first time. Generally, the kid reads a selection from the Book of Prophets that's related to whatever the week's portion in Exodus, Leviticus, etc. is. Most kids do it phonetically - only the Orthodox kids understand it. There's a bit of noise going on in the Orthodox community about saving Grossman. These guys haven't heard of the likes of Karla Faye Tucker, so they don't get the jailhouse conversion gambit. You'd think that a bunch of folks who are ordinarily strict law and order types would get it. Sponsored by: Aleph Institute and Chabad Community Leaders Seek to Prevent Execution: Both Jewish and non-Jewish community leaders are petitioning Florida Governor Charlie Crist for an emergency stay of execution for death-row prisoner, Martin Grossman, scheduled to for Feb. 16th. National Council of Young Israel, Agudath Israel of America, Orthodox Union, Chabad, Satmar, Rabbinical Alliance of America, are amongst a list of 200 organizations pleading with the Florida Governor to grant a 60 day stay which would enable for a comprehensive clemency application to be presented to the court. The case of Martin Grossman is gaining national attention. Mr.Grossman, who in 1984 was a 19-year-old drug-addicted and high-school drop-out with a juvenile record for trespassing. He and a friend, Thanye Taylor, drove to an isolated nature reserve to fire a found handgun for fun. Meanwhile, a wildlife officer stopped them, searched their car and confiscated the gun. Martin, who is reported to have an IQ of 77, and a history of epilepsy, panicked and began pleading with the officer not to report him as he would be in violation of his probation. When she reached for her radio a struggle ensued, which resulted in the officer reaching for her own gun. Then Martin panicked, snatched her gun and shot her. A psychiatrist who evaluated him concluded, from his psychological and medical condition, that he could not have formed the intent to kill. Taylor served less than three years in prison while Martin was sentenced to death. Mr. Grossman has been on death row for over 25 years! The petition argues that the death sentence meted out to him is disproportionate in the extreme and that his defense was inadequate. Only one percent of murder sentences end in capital punishment, crimes commonly referred to as "the worst of the worst." The petition further argues that Martin's crime, considering the lack of premeditation, his drug addiction, his IQ level, and several other compelling factors does not qualify for the death penalty, and that the court ignored mitigating circumstances. Only four of thirty-three available defense witnesses were used in the sentencing phase. Additionally, there are allegations of prosecutorial misconduct as well. A fellow prisoner and key witness for the government swears that he lied at trial, and that he was rewarded by having his own charges dropped. Martin's appeals regarding these issues have been rejected without hearings, but they could be considered in a clemency petition. "Martin has shown deep and profound remorse over the years, and is no longer the same wild reckless person he was 26 years ago" argues Rabbi Menachem Katz of the Aleph Institute, who has visited Martin regularly over the past 15 years. florida-issues.blogspot.com/
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mike5
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Post by mike5 on Feb 10, 2010 21:40:00 GMT -6
The petitions, there are variations of it, are all so full of lies and b.s. it's sickening.
Grossman was one month away from his 20th birthday, not that it mattered in that he was an adult under the law and the jury was aware of his age and did not find it a mitigating factor.
What they call juvie record for tresspassing, I call residential burg. He also was convicted and sent to prison as an adult for residential burglary. when he was released from prison a few months before the murder, he went back to committing residential burglaries. The handgun was "found" during one his residential burglaries. They had gone out there to fire the handgun because he wanted to sell it.
Psychological testing from the time he was first sent to prison revealed an IQ of 77. He had poor school attendance before dropping out at age 15. However, he was examined by at least 3 defense psychologists and no one claimed that he was mentally retarded and /or met the criteria for an Atkins claim. Also, the jury heard about the IQ and did not find it a mitigating factor.
His so called history of epilepsy was when he was four years old, and was admitted to the hospital for a high temperature and pneumonia. While in the hospital he was observed having seizures, was given phenobarb, and released after several days. That does not make him epileptic and even if he was it is not a mitigating factor.
They had tresspassed about 2-3 miles into this reserve and stopped. They then notice Officer Park's lights approaching and Grossman put the gun under his seat. She asked what they were doing, asked for his driver's license, asked them to get out of the van and stand back. She flashed her light into the van making sure that there were no other people in the van. Thune and Grossman started acting hinky. While she was doing this Thune walked up and looked over her shoulder. She told him to get back and but Thune would not retreat. The officer looked inside the cab and found the gun under the seat.
There was no quick struggle. Officer Park walked back to her truck and got in and Grossman followed her and began arguing with her about being under arrest. When she picked up her radio, he put her in a bear hug and dragged her out of the truck.
They began fighting - if you can call it that. He is a foot taller an da 100 lbs. heavier than her. She fought for 15-20 seconds and then Grossman called for Thune to help him. Thune tried to grab her gun. The fight intensified and Grossman began punching her. Thune tried to grab her gun again but she kicked him in the groin. Grossman grabbed her flashlight and began beating her with it. Her torso was forced into the truck and down on the seat as he struck her repeatedly on the head. Officer Park managed to pull her gun and fired a blind shot. Grossman grabbed it from her and shot her point blank in the head.
Grossman made sure that he retrieved his gun, her gun, his van keys, his driver's license from Officer Park. He then drove home and buried both guns. He tried to dispose of his clothes and shoes covered in blood by first burning them and then throwing them in a lake. He then cleaned his van and changed the tires. Then he bragged to his friends about murdering Officer Park.
So, don't tell me this azzhole is retarded or panicked or on drugs. Some petitions claim he was high. There is no evidence that he had taken any drugs or alcohol that day. And judging by his actions, he knew exactly what he was doing.
That some defense hack says he was unable to form intent, is meaningless. He didn't hear all the evidence, was not instructed on the law. Grossman could have been found guilty of first degree murder on a felony murder theory, i.e., murder during commission of a felony, robbery, burglary, & escape. There was also sufficient evidence of premeditation. He did not want to go back to prison. Merely beating Officer Park into submission for him to flee would not have kept him out of prison. No, he meant to beat her to death and when that didn't work he shot her in the head. That's premeditation.
I consider beating an peace officer's brains in and then shooting her in the head one of the worse of the worse crimes. As to all his mitigating witnesses, most of them had not seen Grossman in years and therefore not helpful or they were aware of all his burglaries, and acts of violence and the DA could ask them about it in front of the jury.
All these other issues they claim have been litigated ad nauseum and he lost.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2010 22:41:34 GMT -6
I would disagree that mental capabilities diminish over time because of being in prison. Very often prisoners, pass high school equivalency, earn a university degree, learn a trade, or take up a couple of hobbies. It is a matter of personal motivation
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mike5
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Post by mike5 on Feb 11, 2010 21:29:39 GMT -6
I thought there were three standards of retardation. You had to show mental problems at the time of the crime, and also prior to the offense. Then there is the current mental state. He appeared in court recently and appeared to be competent. He also completed his Bah Mitzmah (sp) at 12. I am not Hebrew, but I understand that this is a fairly intellectual process. Rayozz You're confusing mental competency with mental retardation. They are claiming that he may not be competent to execute but offer no proof at all to substantiate it. They are also implying that he is mentally retarded because he had a 77 IQ test. That neither meets the criteria of mental retardation or the criteria for an Atkins claim. As far as his bar mitzvah, he probably just read it phonetically with help.
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Post by unkelremus on Feb 12, 2010 4:39:45 GMT -6
He had enough sense to Murder Ms Park, because he was smart enough to know he would go back to jail for possession of a handgun while he was on parole..
Stick him, tag him and bag him.....such a piece of garbage....
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mike5
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Post by mike5 on Feb 13, 2010 19:29:43 GMT -6
I'm starting to worry about this. A lot of Jewish organizations have gotten together to oppose the execution. I've never see so many petitions and arguments with absolutely no regard for the facts and the law. They wouldn't give a damn about the execution but for the fact he is Jewish and the victim is not. Plus, besides all the regular offensive arguments routinely made, I keep reading that it was the officer's fault. Crist is sort of an unknown since I doubt he will be reelected. Still, the victim was a law enforcement officer. I'm waiting for LE to jump in with their clout.
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forgesfire
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Post by forgesfire on Feb 13, 2010 20:14:27 GMT -6
Crist is the one who signed the warrant....I don't see why he would change his mind. Anyway, Crist is running for US Senate and needs to maintain his tough-on-crime appearance if he intends to win.
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Post by Californian on Feb 13, 2010 21:12:22 GMT -6
"Martin has shown deep and profound remorse over the years, and is no longer the same wild reckless person he was 26 years ago" argues Rabbi Menachem Katz of the Aleph Institute...." Of course he's not the "same wild reckless person." He's been on Death Row all that time. Honestly, some of this shyt should make these people turn purple with embarrassment.
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mike5
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Post by mike5 on Feb 13, 2010 21:35:00 GMT -6
Crist is the one who signed the warrant....I don't see why he would change his mind. Anyway, Crist is running for US Senate and needs to maintain his tough-on-crime appearance if he intends to win. Good point. However, he finished his appeals last summer and the case was sitting in limbo. He had to do something with it. Maybe, he can't grant clemency until the death warrant is signed? That doesn't sound right. I know that in order to commute a death sentence he needs two members of the clemency board to approve it. There have been 6 clemencies granted in Florida. goo.gl/n7k3 The 6 were between 1979-1983. Definitely, more liberal times. This place goo.gl/42id says he has a 50% chance or less to have a clemency hearing. However, Crist has dropped in the polls even farther than when this article was published. They keep saying what's an extra 60 days? I say there is no reason for it. It's an affront. Another delay. They also repeat the lie that he was on alcohol and drugs at the time. They quote Dershowitz as saying: “Even those who strongly support capital punishment would limit it to recidivists or people who commit the most heinous of crimes." goo.gl/EJAR Who is he to speak for those who support the DP? And no, those who support the DP support it where the legislature said it was warranted, i.e., special circumstances, and where the jury found no mitigation. Also, heinousness was one of the special circumstances found true by the jury in this case. Grossman had a clemency hearing in 1988. He is not entitled to a second one. What has changed since 1988? They say he has been a good boy. Well, a number of inmates are. They say that there is new technology proving he has mental illness. Right. I think they are saying that a MRI/CAT scan would show the proverbial white spot on the brain. So what?
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forgesfire
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Post by forgesfire on Feb 13, 2010 22:55:32 GMT -6
Crist is the one who signed the warrant....I don't see why he would change his mind. Anyway, Crist is running for US Senate and needs to maintain his tough-on-crime appearance if he intends to win. Good point. However, he finished his appeals last summer and the case was sitting in limbo. He had to do something with it. Maybe, he can't grant clemency until the death warrant is signed? That doesn't sound right. I know that in order to commute a death sentence he needs two members of the clemency board to approve it. There have been 6 clemencies granted in Florida. goo.gl/n7k3 The 6 were between 1979-1983. Definitely, more liberal times. This place goo.gl/42id says he has a 50% chance or less to have a clemency hearing. However, Crist has dropped in the polls even farther than when this article was published. They keep saying what's an extra 60 days? I say there is no reason for it. It's an affront. Another delay. They also repeat the lie that he was on alcohol and drugs at the time. They quote Dershowitz as saying: “Even those who strongly support capital punishment would limit it to recidivists or people who commit the most heinous of crimes." goo.gl/EJAR Who is he to speak for those who support the DP? And no, those who support the DP support it where the legislature said it was warranted, i.e., special circumstances, and where the jury found no mitigation. Also, heinousness was one of the special circumstances found true by the jury in this case. Grossman had a clemency hearing in 1988. He is not entitled to a second one. What has changed since 1988? They say he has been a good boy. Well, a number of inmates are. They say that there is new technology proving he has mental illness. Right. I think they are saying that a MRI/CAT scan would show the proverbial white spot on the brain. So what? There are people, such as Gary Alvord, who exhausted appeals in the mid 90's that are still on Florida's death row. The death warrant signing is completely up to the governor to pick and choose at a whim who will next be executed, he doesn't have to do *crap*. No, Crist will do nothing because he picked Martin Grossman specifically from a list handed to him by his assistant at his office, possibly while he was in a bad mood and felt pissed off about something. He had a list with all the faces of the people that had exhausted appeals, and he saw the fat lardy piece of *crap* face of Martin Grossman, and then he signed the warrant and forgot about it. Crist will not change his minds because some Jewish groups want him to, he signed the death warrant and it will be carried out.
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mike5
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Post by mike5 on Feb 14, 2010 2:47:24 GMT -6
There are people, such as Gary Alvord, who exhausted appeals in the mid 90's that are still on Florida's death row. The death warrant signing is completely up to the governor to pick and choose at a whim who will next be executed, he doesn't have to do *crap*. No, Crist will do nothing because he picked Martin Grossman specifically from a list handed to him by his assistant at his office, possibly while he was in a bad mood and felt pissed off about something. He had a list with all the faces of the people that had exhausted appeals, and he saw the fat lardy piece of *crap* face of Martin Grossman, and then he signed the warrant and forgot about it. Crist will not change his minds because some Jewish groups want him to, he signed the death warrant and it will be carried out. I don't believe Alvord is the best example because of the competency issues. I hope Crist didn't pick Gromman based on looks. However, point taken that if Crist had to sign a death warrant, the fact that Grossman was a cop killer would make him the most likely candidate.
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Post by Californian on Feb 14, 2010 18:18:59 GMT -6
I hope Crist didn't pick Gromman based on looks. Mike: Here's his picture. I don't think he's obese; I think he has either a salivary gland tumor, a goiter, or mumps. Goiters are quite rare in the first world, so one of the first two would be my bet. All these conditions are minor and have no long-term health effects, so that avenue is closed for him.
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mike5
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Post by mike5 on Feb 14, 2010 19:09:41 GMT -6
I hope Crist didn't pick Gromman based on looks. Mike: Here's his picture. I don't think he's obese; I think he has either a salivary gland tumor, a goiter, or mumps. Goiters are quite rare in the first world, so one of the first two would be my bet. All these conditions are minor and have no long-term health effects, so that avenue is closed for him. Who gives a crap? It was forgesfire who said, [Crist] saw the fat lardy piece of *crap* face of Martin Grossman, and then he signed the warrant and forgot about it -- not me.
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Post by Californian on Feb 14, 2010 19:19:49 GMT -6
Who gives a crap? It was forgesfire who said, [Crist] saw the fat lardy piece of *crap* face of Martin Grossman, and then he signed the warrant and forgot about it -- not me. Gee, my apologies. Hey, nice tagline: "Not happy with just harassing me, baldy thinks he has the right to harass my friends and acquaintances." Are you being harassed, Mikey? What a whiny *deleted*. ;D And what friends and acquaintances? The zero number of people here so far who've stepped forward? ;D And Mikey, me boy-baldness is genetic. Nothing I can do about it. It's just like you genetically being an a$$hole.
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Post by Felix2 on Feb 14, 2010 20:10:20 GMT -6
Who gives a crap? It was forgesfire who said, [Crist] saw the fat lardy piece of *crap* face of Martin Grossman, and then he signed the warrant and forgot about it -- not me. Gee, my apologies. Hey, nice tagline: "Not happy with just harassing me, baldy thinks he has the right to harass my friends and acquaintances." Are you being harassed, Mikey? What a whiny *deleted*. ;D And what friends and acquaintances? The zero number of people here so far who've stepped forward? ;D And Mikey, me boy-baldness is genetic. Nothing I can do about it. It's just like you genetically being an a$$hole. Now Mikey you have Cali where you want him. He cannot in fairness take the pi$$ out of you for being and arsewhole, he just conceded it is genetic in your case, hence not your choice. Tell him he is being unfair, I would. ;D
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mike5
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Post by mike5 on Feb 14, 2010 20:16:04 GMT -6
Who gives a crap? It was forgesfire who said, [Crist] saw the fat lardy piece of *crap* face of Martin Grossman, and then he signed the warrant and forgot about it -- not me. Gee, my apologies. Hey, nice tagline: "Not happy with just harassing me, baldy thinks he has the right to harass my friends and acquaintances." Are you being harassed, Mikey? What a whiny *deleted*. ;D And what friends and acquaintances? The zero number of people here so far who've stepped forward? ;D And Mikey, me boy-baldness is genetic. Nothing I can do about it. It's just like you genetically being an a$$hole. I'm as interested in a lecture on baldness as much as I was interested in a lecture on goiter, dick head. Your dementia is no excuse for derailing every thread with one of your tantrums, cueball. They're not cute in kids and definitely not cute in geezers.
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Post by Californian on Feb 14, 2010 20:20:41 GMT -6
I'm as interested in a lecture on baldness as much as I was interested in a lecture on goiter, dick head. That's why I threw in the a$$hole remark. I knew you'd be interested in that, being a gold-plated one yourself. ;D Aw, Mikey, are you being harassed again? Along with all zero of your "friends and acquaintances " here?
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mike5
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Post by mike5 on Feb 15, 2010 7:43:01 GMT -6
I'm as interested in a lecture on baldness as much as I was interested in a lecture on goiter, dick head. That's why I threw in the a$$hole remark. I knew you'd be interested in that, being a gold-plated one yourself. With your head so firmly stuck up your own azzhole all the time, you would think that. But, no, I and others were having a discussion about the death penalty and Martin Grossman before you decided to dazzle everyone with your personal knowledge on goiters. I love how you whiiiiiine about my tagline. Please put on your Depends and stop dropping your turds in the threads where people are trying to discuss the death penalty.
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Post by Californian on Feb 15, 2010 10:15:04 GMT -6
Interesting that Grossman is a Jew. I'll bet they're quite rare on Death Row. (although the Rosenbergs spring to mind).
It also smacks of clannish interest and perhaps religious bigotry to me that so many Jewish organizations are lining up behind him. So he's a Jew. So what? He's a murderer. You'd think they'd be embarrassed about that and would want to get rid of him.
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Post by Rev. Agave on Feb 16, 2010 7:54:13 GMT -6
It's execution day!
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Post by spinaltap on Feb 16, 2010 8:18:25 GMT -6
let's hope today is his last day alive
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Post by Californian on Feb 16, 2010 8:43:10 GMT -6
What time are Florida executions, Erick?
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Post by SubSurfCPO(ret) on Feb 16, 2010 9:05:03 GMT -6
Rabbis call for delaying execution todayMartin Grossman's case didn't warrant the death penalty, they saywww.gainesville.com/article/20100216/ARTICLES/2161009/1118?Title=Rabbis-call-for-delaying-execution-todayJewish leaders are calling for an execution scheduled for today to be delayed, while the mother of the victim says it is long overdue. Martin Grossman was 19 years old when he shot to death wildlife officer Margaret "Peggy" Park in Pinellas County in December 1984. More than 110 rabbis have signed a letter to Gov. Charlie Crist asking for a 60-day stay of execution for a clemency hearing, arguing that Grossman did not premeditate the crime and has been a model prisoner. "This should not have been a death penalty case," said Rabbi Menachem Katz of Miami-Dade County, who has been a spiritual adviser to the Jewish inmate in prison. Park was 26, just three years out of college, when she found Grossman with a stolen handgun in the woods. Grossman, who was on probation, pleaded with her to let him go because he would be returned to prison. After she refused, the much larger Grossman beat her with her flashlight before taking her gun and shooting her in the back of the head. Park's mother, also named Margaret, said the long delay between Grossman's conviction and possible execution has been difficult. The 79-year-old Ohio resident said she will be a witness at the execution, in part as a promise to her husband, who died in 2000. "I promised my husband I would stay with this until the end," she said. Grossman, now 45, is set to be executed by lethal injection at 6 p.m. at Florida State Prison near Starke. He would be the 69th prisoner executed since the state reinstated the death penalty in 1976 and the first in 2010. Crist signed Grossman's death warrant on Jan. 12. One death penalty opponent took issue with the timing of the warrant, which came a day after a U.S. Senate straw poll in Pinellas County. Republicans in the poll favored Crist's primary opponent, former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio, in a vote seen as significant because it came in the governor's home base. Mark Elliott of Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty said Crist signed the warrant to burnish his law-and-order credentials. "The decision to kill Martin Grossman was 100 percent political," he said. Crist spokesman Sterling Ivey said in an e-mail that the governor's legal team reviews criteria that include the cruelty of the crime, the amount of time the inmate has spent on Death Row and issues raised in the appeals process before signing a death warrant. "Signing a death warrant is a responsibility that Governor Crist takes very seriously and the warrant for Martin Grossman was signed after a careful review of the above stated criteria," he wrote. Park said justice has been delayed long enough. The average inmate stays on death row for 12.5 years prior to execution, according to the Florida Department of Corrections. Park said the even longer wait for Grossman's execution has meant repeatedly reliving the pain. "It's just like a big wave coming over you, that smacks you back down again," she said. Her daughter had graduated from Ohio State University with a natural resources degree before moving to Florida for the job. She didn't want to sit at a desk, said her mother, and embraced the idea of working with wildlife. "She was well known in the community and was more than well liked - she was beloved," said Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesman Gary Morse, who worked with Park in hunter education courses. Grossman lived in Pasco County at the time of the murder but had driven to Pinellas County, a parole violation in itself, with a 17-year-old companion. As Park was using her radio to call the sheriff's office to report him, Grossman took her flashlight and hit her repeatedly on the head and shoulders, according to court records. She managed to draw her handgun and fire a wild shot before Grossman - who was 100 pounds heavier and a foot taller - wrestled away the gun and shot her. Park's mother said Grossman made a choice to kill her and should have to pay the consequences. "There is a point in time when you have to take responsibility for your actions, and he did not," she said. The rabbis' letter contends that Grossman was a "drug-addicted, intellectually slow and emotionally immature youth" with an IQ of 77 and was high at the time of the crime. He has since shown remorse and should be given life in prison without parole, they argued in the letter. "If you look at all the people executed in the country in the last two years, you will not find a case resembling this case," said Katz, who directs prison outreach for the Surfside-based Aleph Institute. The case also is different than most in attracting the attention of Jewish leaders. The Aleph Institute set up an online petition that has received more than 24,000 signatures. Holocaust survivor and human rights activist Elie Wiesel sent a letter to Crist asking him to spare Grossman's life. Park said she'll be attending the execution with her son and daughter. She said Grossman has never apologized to her for the killing, but she's not focused on whether he will do so before the execution. "I do not feel any anger or hatred toward the man after this many years," she said. "I am not going to let him take away my peace of mind."
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Post by SubSurfCPO(ret) on Feb 16, 2010 9:09:57 GMT -6
What time are Florida executions, Erick? 6 pm
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