Monday, Aug. 26, 1985
Second Section
University Daily Kansan
13
Governor urges act of mercy
United Press International
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gov. Bob Graham urged his cabinet to free 76-year-old Roswell Gilbert from prison during an appeal of a 25-year sentence for the "mercy killing" of his incurably ill wife.
The governor called for an "act of mercy" for Gilbert, an ailing, retired engineer who maintained he killed his wife of 51 years to end her suffering and whose plea for clemency attracted a public campaign in his support.
Gilbert is serving a mandatory sentence of 25 years at the Aven Park Correctional Institute for the March 4 shooting death of his wife, Emily, 73, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease and the painful bone disorder osteoporosis.
But the six Cabinet members were divided over whether to release Gilbert, and prosecutors argued elicency would amount to a "license bill" for the prosecution of the kill in south Florida's growing elderly population.
"I feel justice was served by the 78-year-old sick man being able to continue his appeal from his home, and then from" Graham told a news conference.
"This recommendation represents an act of mercy extended to an elderly defendant in ill health."
Graham said. "It does not indicate that what Mr. Gilbert has done is acceptable in the eyes of the people of Florida."
At least three Cabinet members must support Graham's recommen-
tations.
A survey of the Cabinet by United Press International Thursday showed two members supported clemency, two opposed it and two were undecided. The undecided members / State Comptroller Gerald Lewis and Agriculture Commissioner Doyle Conner / said they needed more time to consider the case.
Gilbert contended during his two-week trial that he killed his wife in an "act of love." Friends and neighbors testified that Emily Gilbert repeatedly begged her husband to end her suffering.
"I don't want to send a message that it's all right to take a person's life because that person is ill." Lewis said.
But prosecutors contended that Gilbert crept up behind his wife as she sat on a sofa in their condominium and pumped two shots from a 9mm Luger pistol into her head because she had become a burden to him.
At Gilbert's clementry hearing, prosecutors warned that clementry
could prompt "mercy killings" by relatives of other incurably ill patients.
Gilbert, who has suffered from a kidney ailment during his imprisonment, declined to talk to reporters Thursday.
"He is relieved now and he feels some progress has been made and he is hopeful. Physically and mentally he's holding up well," Assistant Prison Superintendent Dick Hamm said.
The case has attracted national attention, at least partly because of increased anxiety about Alzheimer's disease. The incurable aliment causes progressive senility and its offers must be restrained in beded beds.
Since Gilbert was convicted May 9, more than 1,500 letters of support from around the country have poured into Graham's office. A few elderly women offered to send Gilbert cakes on his birthday last month.
Gilbert has drawn widespread public sympathy, and a Florida newspaper poll last month showed 63 percent support for his clemency bid.
Gilbert's appeal could take up to two years and Graham said he would be willing to consider another clemency appeal if his conviction was upheld.
GOP falls short on conversions
United Press International
WASHINGTON — Republicans admitted last week that they had fallen short of their goal of luring 100,000 Democrats to sign with the GOP in 100 days, and Democrats said that their rivals's drive for converts had "failed miserably."
Frank Fahrenkopf, Republican national chairman, said 59,813 officially signed up. He said the 100,000 goal would be met when the 40,636 more Democrats who have promised to actually go through the often cumbersome process of changing parties.
But to reach the 100,000 mark announced in May as the GOP goal, the Republicans included 2,410 from California with those in the four original target states of Louisiana, Florida, North Carolina and Pennsylvania.
The original goal was to have 100,000 signed up — not just pledged — by Aug. 15.
"Obviously there is no mass exodus from the Democratic Party in his country," said Terry Michael, a senior attorney for the national Committee. "No one denies
they (Republicans) are becoming more competitive, but there is no realignment taking place. They failed miserably."
At a news conference, Fahrenkopf attempted to show that the numbers represented a large boost for Republicans.
"How can you say that 100,000 people saying 'I was a Democrat,"
now I'm a Republican' is a failure?''
he asked.
The chairman announced a second phase of the program to convert Democrats, saying California and New Mexico would be added as target states, with Don Adams, Illinois GOP chairman, would be in charge.
United Press International
MACKINAC ISLAND, Mich. — The horse, the preferred method of transportation on the island, is here to stay.
Recent reports that soaring insurance rates would force Mackinac Island to abandon its four-footed transportation system were dismissed by islander Jack Chambers as "horse exhaust."
Automobiles were banished from Mackinac Island almost 50 years ago.
More than 300 horses on the island carry horseback riders or pull sightseeing carriages, 24-hour taxis or luggage carts.
Dr. William Chambers, Carriage Tours manager and veterinarian, said "Our insurance — compensation, liability and so on — peaked in 1981 at $72,000 a year. Then the price slid slowly down. This year, arrangements with our insurers are such that I can't tell you right now what our premiums will be, but they will be plenty high, much more than in 1981."
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