Governor Markell, for the first time in Delaware history, has commuted the death sentence of Robert Gattis to life in prison without parole.
The Governor is to be commended for this brave decision.
“I realize my decision may cause pain to the family and friends of Shirley Slay. For that, I deeply apologize.” Markell said in a statement. However, as a condition of the commutation, Markell said Gattis must agree to surrender all future legal appeals and instead spend the rest of his natural life in prison. This was a condition recommended by the Pardons Board. […]
“This commutation in no way relieves Mr. Gattis of his moral or legal guilt, and I am mindful of the fact that an innocent victim lost her life on the night of May 9, 1990,” Markell said, adding the decision to spare Gattis life was “among the most difficult I have had to make in all my years in public service.”