Owens’ Son Pleas to Halt Mother’s Execution

The son of a woman sentenced to death in Tennessee is pleading for the governor to commute his mother’s sentence. Gaile Owens has exhausted her legal appeals, and her execution is now set for September.

Owens was convicted in 1986 of hiring a man to murder her husband. Defense lawyers say her original trial failed to consider that she was abused physically and sexually and suffered battered-spouse syndrome. And they argue prosecutors suppressed evidence that would’ve helped her.

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear Owens’ case, meaning at this stage only the governor can intervene. Owens’ son Stephen, who is 37, is asking that she be spared.

“Please do not leave me with the responsibility of looking at my sons in the eyes and explaining to them that their grandmother was executed. Please do not allow a death sentence to be the legacy of my family. I am asking for your mercy; I am the face of the victim in this tragedy.”

So far Governor Phil Bredesen has commuted one death sentence, while allowing five others.

EXTRA:

Statement from Lydia Lenker, press secretary to Gov. Bredesen:

“Governor Bredesen has received a clemency petition from Ms. Owens’ attorneys and is aware of those advocating on her behalf. As he does in each of these situations, the Governor is reviewing the document but hasn’t made a decision on the matter.”

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Tennessee Executions Over the last Decade

Executions in Tennessee took a 40-year hiatus before 2000, when the state executed Robert Glen Coe by lethal injection for killing 8-year-old Cary Ann Medlin.

Sedley Alley was executed in June of 2006; Paul Reid was scheduled to die that night as well, but got relief from the U.S. Supreme Court.

Philip Workman‘s execution followed in May of 2007.

Later that year Daryl Holton was executed, and that same month Governor Bredesen commuted the death sentence of Michael Boyd.

In December of 2007, Bredesen put executions on hold temporarily to examine the state’s lethal injection protocol.

In February of 2009, the state executed Steve Henley.

Tennessee’s most recent execution was Cecil Johnson, in December, 2009.

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