Catholic Bishops Urge Governor Crist to Stay the Execution of Mark Dean Schwab 

Tallahassee - Governor Crist, we urge you to stay the impending execution of Mark Dean Schwab scheduled for November 15, 2007. At this time while the U.S. Supreme Court is considering the case of Baze v. Rees to determine whether the drug combination used in lethal injection executions is cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth Amendment, it seems both prudent and judicious for you to follow the example of another governor and many state and federal courts.   More than a dozen stays of execution have been granted since October 3, 2007. 

While recognizing the right of the state to impose the death penalty, we oppose its use given the option of life in prison without possibility of parole that will punish the offender and keep society safe. Incarceration for life is a severe punishment, allows the possibility of conversion for the wrong doer, and gives us the opportunity to forgive their wrong doings.  Killing those who have harmed others only perpetuates the use of violence in society. 

We express our sincere sympathy to the family and loved ones of the victim, Junny Rios-Martinez. While we can never fully comprehend their suffering and pain, we pray for their peace of mind. Carrying out the death penalty for Mark Dean Schwab will not compensate for their loss and encourages vengeance rather than forgiveness.   

Governor Crist, state sanctioned killing coarsens us all.   It is only when society cannot be protected in any other way that the death penalty is justified.  We urge you to lead Florida toward a standard of decency that calls us to turn away from killing as a solution for crime.  Please stay this execution and allow Mark Dean Schwab to remain in prison for the rest of his life as punishment for his crime.