Law Prof, Pastor Weigh in on Gattis Decision

By Frank Gerace
WDEL
January 17, 2012

http://www.wdel.com/story.php?id=40210


[with audio]

A law professor and a local pastor react to the Governor's decision to grant clemency to Robert Gattis.

Widener University professor Jules Epstein tells WDEL News jurors at Gattis' trial didn't hear about the physical and sexual abuse he suffered as a child.

Pastor Bruce Gillette, who wrote an interfaith appeal for clemency signed by more than 80 fellow clergy members, hailed the decision to commute Gattis' sentence to life in prison.

Gillette claims several countries without the death penalty have lower crime rates than the US.