Fla. Execution Postponed for Political Fundraiser; Attorney General Apologizes
The execution of a Florida inmate was postponed by Attorney General Pam Bondi and Governor Rick Scott allegedly so that Bondi could attend the kickoff for her re-election as Attorney General.
Marshall Lee Gore was convicted of raping, strangling, and stabbing 30-year-old Robyn Novick. He was sentenced to the death penalty and given an additional sentence for the murder of 19-year-old Susan Roark. He was due to be executed via lethal injection in June, but Governor Scott refused to allow the execution over issues surrounding Gore's sanity.
Scott finally rescheduled the execution for Sept. 10, but Attorney General Bondi chose to host her "hometown campaign kickoff" fundraiser that same evening. She asked Scott to reschedule the execution, angering many; on Monday, Bondi admitted that she had made a mistake.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
"As a prosecutor, there was nothing more important than seeing justice done, especially when it came to the unconscionable act of murder," Bondi told the press. "I personally put two people on death row and, as Attorney General, have already participated in eight executions since I took office, a role I take very seriously."
"The planned execution of Marshall Lee Gore had already been stayed twice by the courts, and we absolutely should not have requested that the date of the execution be moved," Bondi continued.
The family of Robyn Novick was especially angry and questioned Florida's sense of justice and priorities.
"What's going on down there? It's ridiculous," Robyn's mother, Phyllis Novick told the Tampa Bay Times.
Scott would only say that the reason for the delay was to accommodate a member of the Cabinet; he denied knowing the actual reason behind Bondi's request.
"Wherever one stands on the death penalty, there isn't anyone in America that believes an execution should be postponed for political fundraising," David Donnelly, executive director of the Public Campaign Action Fund noted. "That Pam Bondi requested a delay in this execution shows how the nonstop chase for campaign cash has hollowed out the morality of our political system. Her moral compass is broken."
Gore's new execution date has been set for Oct. 1.
