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Daughter of Missouri death row inmate petitions governor to spare father's life Daughter of Missouri death row inmate petitions governor to spare father's life
(35 minutes later)
Alyshia Strong was effectively left an orphan 14 years ago, when her father killed her mother and half-sister during a violent argument in a St Louis County apartment. Now the girl is urging Governor Jay Nixon to spare his life.Alyshia Strong was effectively left an orphan 14 years ago, when her father killed her mother and half-sister during a violent argument in a St Louis County apartment. Now the girl is urging Governor Jay Nixon to spare his life.
Richard Strong, 48, is scheduled to be executed Tuesday.Richard Strong, 48, is scheduled to be executed Tuesday.
Eva Washington and her two-year-old daughter from a previous relationship, Zandrea Thomas, were found stabbed to death on 23 October 2000. A large butcher knife was on a bed next to a pool of blood. Alyshia, then just three months old, was also on the bed but unharmed.Eva Washington and her two-year-old daughter from a previous relationship, Zandrea Thomas, were found stabbed to death on 23 October 2000. A large butcher knife was on a bed next to a pool of blood. Alyshia, then just three months old, was also on the bed but unharmed.
Alyshia, now 14, said in an interview with The Associated Press on Monday that she has forgiven her father. They visit frequently at the prison. She said her father plays an important role in counseling her. Alyshia, now 14, said in an interview with the Associated Press on Monday that she has forgiven her father. They visit frequently at the prison. She said her father plays an important role in counseling her.
“He’s always been with me,” she said. “He’s the only surviving parent I have, and I struggle in life. To see my father live would help me.”“He’s always been with me,” she said. “He’s the only surviving parent I have, and I struggle in life. To see my father live would help me.”
Scott Holste, a spokesman for Nixon, said the clemency petition is under review.Scott Holste, a spokesman for Nixon, said the clemency petition is under review.
Strong’s attorney, Jennifer Herndon, also has filed appeals to the US Supreme Court — one on a procedural matter, the other claiming that Strong shouldn’t be executed because he suffers from severe depression. Strong’s attorney, Jennifer Herndon, also has filed appeals to the US supreme court – one on a procedural matter, the other claiming that Strong shouldn’t be executed because he suffers from severe depression.
Strong is remorseful for the crime, Herndon said. She said that both he and Washington suffered from mental illness and frequently argued.Strong is remorseful for the crime, Herndon said. She said that both he and Washington suffered from mental illness and frequently argued.
“It wasn’t a healthy relationship,” Herndon said. “He just snapped.”“It wasn’t a healthy relationship,” Herndon said. “He just snapped.”
Alyshia Strong went to live with Strong’s mother after the killings, a woman Alyshia now refers to as “Mama,” the clemency petition said. Alyshia Strong went to live with Strong’s mother after the killings, a woman Alyshia now refers to as “Mama”, the clemency petition said.
Alyshia said in the petition that she is asking the governor to spare her father because she thinks “it is wrong for me to have another loss. I understand that my father needs to face consequences and to pay for what he did, but I do not think it is right for me to lose my father as part of the punishment”.Alyshia said in the petition that she is asking the governor to spare her father because she thinks “it is wrong for me to have another loss. I understand that my father needs to face consequences and to pay for what he did, but I do not think it is right for me to lose my father as part of the punishment”.
The execution would be the fourth in Missouri this year. Only Texas, with eight, has had more. Missouri and Texas tied for the most executions in the US last year with ten each. The execution would be the fourth in Missouri this year. Only Texas, with eight, has had more. Missouri and Texas tied for the most executions in the US last year with 10 each.