Stop the Execution of Kevin Underwood in Oklahoma
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt & the Pardon and Parole Board
Oklahoma's aggressive execution schedule marks it as an outlier in its use of the death penalty while the majority of other states are on a downward trend of executions. In the last few years, Oklahoma has been one of only a handful of states that have carried out death sentences - and it continues to do so targeting the poor, the mentally ill and people of color.
This particular execution is just one in a series of 25 executions scheduled by Oklahoma in the coming months, despite serious concerns around the state's lethal injection protocols and drugs.
Please sign the petition asking Governor Stitt and the Pardon and Parole Board to do everything within their power to ensure this execution does not go forward, and to seek a path to clemency in the case.
Sponsored by
To:
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt & the Pardon and Parole Board
From:
[Your Name]
We are writing to request clemency for Kevin Ray Underwood, who is scheduled for execution on December 19, 2024. While we acknowledge the severity of his crime, we believe that the death penalty is not an appropriate punishment in this case.
Kevin has recently been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how individuals perceive and interact with the world around them. He has also suffered from depression and severe low-self esteem in the past, leading him to lead an unusually reclusive lifestyle. Developmental conditions, intellectual disabilities, and mental disorders can deeply influence an individual’s behavior and are entirely beyond their control.
Executing someone who suffers from such conditions raises significant ethical concerns. Kevin’s mental state before, during, and after the murder, must be fully considered before carrying out such an irreversible punishment.
We strongly urge you to spare his life and commute his sentence to life without parole.
Thank you for your time and consideration