CATHOLIC ANTI-DEATH PENALTY ACTIVISTS IN NEW MEXICO are asking Governor Gary Johnson to commute the death sentence of convicted murderer Terry Clark to life imprisonment. Clark's scheduled Nov. 6 execution would be the state's first in 41 years.

Clark has asked that his appeals be waived. The courts have ruled that he is competent to do so, even though experts have testified that he has brain damage and is suffering from depression based on his having been isolated from family and friends and the harsh conditions at his prison.

"Terry is on lockdown at least 23 hours a day, is allowed to keep only three letters and photographs, and is often harassed and threatened by both guards and other prisoners because of the nature of his crime -- a sexual murder of a little girl," says CACP member Cathy Ansheles, who is active in efforts to persuade Gov. Johnson to commute the sentence. "It's no wonder he has 'volunteered'."

Commutation pleas are expected from Pope John Paul II and from the state's three Catholic bishops, who have been active in efforts to repeal New Mexico's death penalty law. Death penalty opponents hope that such pleas will be effective in light of the state's large Catholic population and the fact that a bill to repeal its capital punishment law failed by only one vote in the State Senate earlier this year.

The governor's address is:

The Honorable Gary E. Johnson

State Capitol, Room 400

Santa Fe, NM 87503

He can also be reached by telephone at 505-827-3000, or through his website at

www.governor.state.nm.us