California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger turned down a clemency bid today for a rapist-murderer scheduled to die Tuesday at San Quentin State Prison for raping and murdering a 17-year-old girl in 1981.
Michael Morales, 46, admitted that he murdered and raped Terri Winchell, 17, but said his own life was worth sparing because of his remorse and redemption on death row.
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His attorneys, including former Whitewater Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr, now dean of the Pepperdine University Law School, sent fabricated juror statements to Schwarzenegger making appeals on Morlaes’ behalf.
"There is no compelling evidence that the jury's punishment is not appropriate in this case," Schwarzenegger wrote. "All the reviewing courts have upheld the jury's punishment. Morales' claim that he is a changed man does not excuse the brutal murder and rape of Terri Winchell."
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Schwarzenegger has denied clemency to all five condemned inmates who have requested it since taking office two years ago.
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