Virginia's Catholic bishops ask for clemency for death-row inmate

Published: 2005-06-28

ARLINGTON, Va. (CNS) -- Virginia's two Catholic bishops wrote a letter to Gov. Mark R. Warner requesting clemency on behalf of Robin Lovitt, scheduled to be executed July 11, because questions have been raised about his murder conviction. "Circumstances like these heighten a risk that is surely one to avoid at all costs -- that is, the risk of executing someone when doubts about his conviction linger," wrote Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde and Richmond Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo. According to Jeff Caruso, executive director of the Virginia Catholic Conference, Lovitt was convicted of murdering a man in a pool hall with a pair of scissors. One of the problems with his case, though, is that DNA evidence was destroyed by state officials. "Reports have indicated that physical evidence which may have been improperly tested was later destroyed, thus eliminating the opportunity for post-conviction retesting to prevent error," the bishops' letter said.

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