Stop the Execution of Gilbert Postelle in Oklahoma
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt
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Gilbert Postelle is scheduled for execution in Oklahoma on February 17, 2022 for the murder of James “Donnie” Swindle Jr., Amy Wright, Terry Smith and James Alderson in 2005 in Oklahoma City.
Read Gilbert Postelle's Clemency Petition Here.
[See Operative Petition Language Below.]
Gilbert Postelle acknowledges his participation in a brutal crime and expresses sincere remorse. However, an understanding of Gilbert Postelle's young age at the time of the crime, intellectual deficits, mental illness, and depraved upbringing demonstrate that his is exactly the type of case that cries out for mercy. Mr. Postelle was poorly cared for growing up, and committed his crime under the influence of his father, who himself was suffering from mental illness.
None of this excuses the crime, but Mr. Postelle can be held accountable and society keep safe without executing him.
In scheduling executions such as this, Oklahoma makes itself an outlier in its use of the death penalty. The majority of other states are on a downward trend of executions, and increasingly, states are abolishing the practice altogether, including the southern state of Virginia, which repealed its death penalty law earlier this year.
Furthermore, the continued failure of Oklahoma's lethal injection protocol and the resulting "botched" executions are of grave concern.
Sponsored by
To:
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt
From:
[Your Name]
We are writing to you regarding Gilbert Postelle, who is scheduled for execution in Oklahoma on February 17, 2022 for the 2004 murder of four people in Oklahoma City in 2005.
An understanding of Gilbert Postelle's young age at the time of the crime, intellectual deficits, mental illness, and depraved upbringing demonstrate that his is exactly the type of case that cries out for mercy. Mr. Postelle was poorly cared for growing up, and committed his crime under the influence of his father, who himself was suffering from mental illness.
In scheduling executions such as this, Oklahoma makes itself an outlier in its use of the death penalty. The majority of other states are on a downward trend of executions, and increasingly, states are abolishing the practice altogether, including the southern state of Virginia, which repealed its death penalty law earlier this year.
Furthermore, the continued failure of Oklahoma's lethal injection protocol and the resulting "botched" executions are of grave concern.
We, the undersigned, ask that you do everything within your power to ensure Postelle does not face execution and to seek a path to clemency in the case.
Thank you for time and attention to this urgent and serious matter.