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Killer of three scheduled to die tonight

Posted at 12:32 PM, Jan 16, 2013
and last updated 2013-01-16 13:41:35-05
Robert Charles Gleason, Jr.

Robert Charles Gleason, Jr.

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) – Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell has decided not to intervene in tonight’s scheduled execution of Robert Charles Gleason, Jr.

“In 2008 Robert Charles Gleason, Jr. was convicted of the murder of Michael Kent Jamerson in Amherst, Virginia.  He was sentenced to life without parole,” the governor said in a statement. “While in prison he committed the brutal murders of both Harvey Watson, his cellmate at Wallens Ridge State Prison, and Aaron Cooper, a fellow inmate at Red Onion State Prison. Gleason strangled both men to death.

“Gleason has expressed no remorse for these horrific murders. 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.

“Despite the fact that he has not filed a petition for clemency, I have still reviewed the procedural history and the facts surrounding the convictions. I have found no compelling reason to intercede.

 Accordingly, I decline to intervene.”