Coalition to deliver petition supporting stay of execution and calling for clemency for Garry Thomas Allen
Oklahoma City – On Wednesday, April 11, 2012, Garry Thomas Allen was granted a stay of execution by U.S. District Judge David L. Russell. Allen, 56, was to be executed this evening at 6 p.m., but will now have 15 days to file an appeal under the ruling issued by Judge Russell.
In his order, Russell said, “To provide Petitioner (Allen) adequate opportunity to litigate claims regarding competency, particularly in light of the state proceedings just concluded, the Court finds that the execution should be stayed.”
A clinical neuropsychologist, Michael Gelbort, said Allen has developed dementia from the brain injury and a seizure disorder, and found he is insane. Gelbort said in an affidavit it was “remarkable and troubling” that Allen was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and then later rediagnosed with antisocial personality disorder.
“This is like the poster child case for mental illness, long term, documented, severe – it’s not like it’s a close case or borderline case,” said Rex Friend.
Allen was diagnosed with schizophrenia at Eastern State Hospital, which is now the Oklahoma Forensic Center, part of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
Today at 3:15 p.m., Rex Friend, State Senator Constance Johnson and OK-CADP board members Margaret Cox, Becky Van Pool and others will be delivering nearly 6000 petition signatures to the Governor, calling for clemency for Garry Thomas Allen.
“We want to deliver the first installment of the petitions, considering the fact that there is so much momentum building for this case. This decision is consistent with our contention that there is credible evidence that needs to be reviewed regarding Allen’s limited capacity. said Friend. “We continue to urge clemency in a case in which the evidence is so strong that there has been a stay granted.”
We are asking that citizens continue to call the Governor’s office at 405-521-2342 to urge Governor Fallin to grant clemency for Mr. Allen. The petition and more detail is available at www.okcadp.org.
Tags: Garry Thomas Allen, press release
