Virginia Governor Won't Stop Next Weeks Execution of Gleason

RICHMOND, Va.—

Governor McDonnell says he will not stop the execution next week of a man convicted of murder in Amherst.

Robert Charles Gleason was convicted of killing Michael Kent Jamerson in 2008. While in prison, Gleason killed two inmates. He is set to be executed January 16.

“Gleason has expressed no remorse for these horrific murders,” McDonnell wrote in a news release.

“He has not sought to appeal his convictions and has not filed a petition for clemency. He has consistently rejected any offers of legal assistance. Gleason has said that he wants the January 16th execution to ‘go as is.’ He has been found competent by the appropriate courts to make all of these decisions.”

Gleason killed Harvey Watson, his cellmate at Wallens Ridge State Prison, and Aaron Cooper, an inmate at Red Onion State Prison. Gleason strangled both men to death.

Even though Gleason has not filed a petition for clemency, McDonnell says he still reviewed the history and facts around Gleason’s convictions.

“I have found no compelling reason to intercede,” McDonnell wrote in the news release.

“Accordingly, I decline to intervene.”

Source:

Gleason, who vowed to keep killing unless he was put to death has chosen to die by electrocution.