CLEMENCY

The Idaho Commission on Pardons and Parole has denied Paul's clemency without a hearing. See our press release here.

Mr. Rhoades and his attorneys filed a clemency petition with the Commission of Pardons & Parole on October 21, 2011. They are asking that his death sentence be commuted to allow him to serve the rest of his life in prison. The Commission can consider all information in the case, including all that was not available or presented to the sentencing court. Among the materials in the package that were not submitted to the sentencing court is a family history of substance abuse, poverty, mental illness, and other social maladies that spanned generations and clearly played a role in the development of Mr. Rhoades and fueled his own descent into drugs. The Commission also has been provided with details about Mr. Rhoades' escalating use of methamphetamine in the months leading up to the crimes, and current scientific research that correlates this particular drug with violent crime. Written and video testimonials included with the petition underscore the positive impact Mr. Rhoades has had on many lives inside the prison and beyond during the 24 years he has spent on Death Row. Among the materials is a letter from Bishop Michael P. Driscoll to Governor Butch Otter urging him to grant clemency for Mr. Rhoades.