Atmore, AL – Alabama Gov. Bob Riley has rejected the last-moment plea for clemency from Alabama death row inmate Leroy White.
He was sentenced to die for the 1988 shotgun slaying of his estranged wife, Ruby. He shot her while holding their 17-month-old daughter in his arms.
Riley said Thursday he found no reason to stop the execution. He issued his statement less than two hours before the scheduled 6 p.m. execution at Holman Prison in Atmore.
White's attorneys asked for clemency partly because the jury that convicted White voted 9-3 to recommend he be sentenced to life in prison.
White's daughter, La Tonya White, filed a sworn statement with the clemency petition. She said she had forgiven her father and asked Riley to spare his life.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)