Delaware

Delaware Board Nixes Commutation for Killer

Delaware's Board of Pardons has refused to hear a commutation request from a killer whose sentencing led to changes in Delaware's death penalty law.

James Llewellyn Jr. is one of four men convicted of robbing and murdering two armored car guards in December 1990.

The defendants all received life sentences after jurors could not unanimously agree on the death penalty.

The killings so outraged the public that legislators held a special session in 1991 to change the law, giving judges the final say on whether to impose the death penalty after considering a jury's recommendation.

After reviewing a recent petition by Llewellyn, pardons board members agreed that they would not recommend commutation of Llewellyn's sentence, and that there was no reason to hear from him when they meet Thursday.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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