Burgreen Urges Wilson to Deny Harris Clemency
San Diego Police Chief Bob Burgreen has told members of Gov. Pete Wilson’s staff that not only should Wilson not grant convicted murderer Robert Alton Harris clemency, but also that he personally would volunteer to assist officials in helping Harris die in the gas chamber.
“If they had trouble finding someone to pull the handle to drop the pill, I told them I would be happy to do it,” Burgreen said Tuesday. “But I’m afraid I would have to stand in line.”
Harris kidnaped and murdered two Mira Mesa teen-agers in 1978 to use their car in a bank robbery. The father of one of the boys is San Diego Police Detective Steve Baker, who was on patrol in the area of the killings at the time his son was slain.
“I have seen the agony this has put him through personally,” Burgreen said. “If someone ever deserved to die, it is Harris.”
Members of the governor’s staff have been questioning various law enforcement officials about their views on clemency. San Diego County Sheriff Jim Roache said this week he is strongly opposed to any more Harris appeals.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
