Fionn: Our local newspaper reported a story this morning that I'm sure will be of great interest to you. One Donald Miller is destined to die by lethan injection at out state penitentary on November 8th. He was convicted of murdering an 18 year old Tucson woman in 1993. A lawyer (public defender)who has had no official connection with the case, and therefore has no standing int he court, has asked the Arizona Supreme Court to review the case because "HE believes the courts haven't fully examined whether Miller's sentence was legally imposed."

Miller wants to be executed. He has exhausted his appeals and wants no further action taken to save his life. In a telephone interview with a reporter Milller stated, "from step one, I didn't want to fight appeals. I am not guilty ...but I'd rather they execute me than continue living in prison."

There is no question as to Miller's competency, and the article doesn't mention whether or not he came from a less than priviledged home. He merely accepted $50 from a friend who had impregnated the young lady, to take the lady into nearby mountains and murder her. He shot her once in the head, but she did not die. So he drove her into the desert and shot her in the head five more times until she died. He told the court that he only shot her AFTER she was dead. The man who hired him is serving a 9 year sentence.

Should the lawyer continue to pursue additional appeals, or should the convicted killer be allowed to die, as is his wish?

DougR