November 30, 2005
1,000th Execution Delayed, Murder on Schedule
by Scott Ott

(2005-11-30) - Virginia Gov. Mark Warner yesterday granted clemency to convicted murderer Robin Lovitt, commuting his death sentence to life in prison and so delaying the 1,000th execution since the U.S. Supreme Court restored the death penalty in 1976.

However, a spokesman for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said America's landmark 461,500th murder since 1976 should proceed on schedule.

"Our clients and future clients tell us that the domestic murder industry continues to be robust despite a decline in production in recent years," said the unnamed ACLU source. "Americans should not worry that the stalled death penalty rate will hinder these persistent, hard-working citizens from carrying out their work with dispatch."

Indeed, recent polls show public confidence in the efficiency of America's killers has been bolstered by softness in the justice market.

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