"Groups gather outside pen to oppose death penalty," is the AP report, via the Mitchell Daily Republic.
Pax Christi co-chair Leona Wieland says people aren't gathering to protest but to pray, sing and sit in quiet. She says the nondenominational Christian group believes in upholding the sacredness of all life.
South Dakotans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty members are hoping to abolish the death penalty in South Dakota through legislative appeal.
Coordinator Travis Schulze says the group doesn't plan to introduce a bill for next year's session because it would likely die in committee. He says the group wants to get churches involved to encourage more conservative legislators to support repeal.
The AP also reports on the execution of Donald Moeller, "Mother: Execution brings relief, not closure," by Dirk Lammers. It's via the Knoxville News Sentinel.
Moeller then was administered a lethal injection of pentobarbital and took about eight heavy breaths before his breathing stopped and Moeller turned slightly pink.
Moeller's eyes remained open as his skin turned ashen, then purple. The coroner then checked for vital signs, and Moeller was pronounced dead at 10:24 p.m.
It was South Dakota's second execution this month, and the 34th execution in American death penalty states this year. There have been 1,311 post-Furman executions since 1977.
Earlier coverage from South Dakota begins at the link.
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