Protestors Getting Ready For Execution

Death-penalty opponents plan to protest a scheduled double execution tomorrow. Protests are planned outside the Arkansas Governor`s Mansion on behalf of condemned murderers Charles Singleton and Karl Roberts, who are slated to die an hour apart. Singleton is mentally ill, but his condition is controlled through medication. Pauline Charton, director of the Arkansas chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, says she believes his execution is barbaric. The alliance for the mentally ill, along with the Arkansas chapters of the American Civil Liberties Union and the N-Double-A-C-P, plan a news conference tomorrow to call attention to the executions. A prayer service is scheduled before a vigil at the Governor`s Mansion. Rita Sklar, spokeswoman for the Arkansas A-C-L-U, says the groups are focusing on Singleton because of his mental illness, but they are hopeful for Roberts, as well. Posted by Mike Hellgren