Death Penalty Information Center

Oklahoma Governor Grants Temporary Reprieve for Mexican National 

Governor Frank Keating granted a 30-day stay of execution for Gerardo Valdez, a Mexican citizen on Oklahoma's death row. (The Oklahoman, 8/17/01)  Valdez, who was scheduled to be executed on August 30, was denied consular access upon his arrest, a move Keating acknowledged was a "clear violation" of the Vienna Convention.  Notwithstanding, Keating denied clemency for Valdez in July, despite a personal appeal from Mexico's President, Vincente Fox.  (New York Times, 7/21/01 and Associated Press, 7/22/01)