Killer Appeals to Davis, High Court to Void Death Sentence

Less than a week before his scheduled execution, convicted double murderer Jaturun “Jay” Siripongs is making last-ditch appeals this week to Gov. Gray Davis and the California Supreme Court in an effort to overturn his death sentence.

Siripongs’ attorneys asked the state Board of Prison Terms in Sacramento on Tuesday to recommend that their client’s life be spared because of his exemplary prison record as well as doubts raised about his guilt.

The board will give a confidential recommendation to Davis, who is expected to make his decision by the end of the week. Davis has said he supports the death penalty, although his election gave anti-capital punishment forces hope that he might be more willing to consider clemency than his predecessor, Pete Wilson.

In another bid to block the Feb. 9 execution at San Quentin Prison, Siripongs’ attorneys have alleged in arguments to the Supreme Court that prosecutors failed to pursue evidence that pointed to the involvement of an accomplice in the 1981 robbery-murder of a Garden Grove store manager and a clerk.

Prosecutors called the appeal another delaying tactic.