The Tampa Tribune reports, "Bondi apologizes for having execution moved. It's by James L. Rosica.
Attorney General Pam Bondi on Tuesday publicly apologized for causing the delay of an execution that was the same evening as her re-election campaign kickoff fundraiser in Tampa.Bondi's statement, on its face, may also run counter to the oath she took as an attorney — though it's an oath that goes largely unenforced.
And:
Bondi, a Republican and former Hillsborough County prosecutor, spoke to reporters for the first time about the incident after Tuesday's Cabinet meeting. The first question was about the execution's postponement.
The state's chief law enforcement official paused before answering, speaking at times with a slight tremble in her voice.
“I should not have requested the execution be moved. It had been (delayed) twice,” she said.
“And just so you know, (Gore) has filed another motion this past Friday, asking that it be (delayed) once again. And we are fighting that,” Bondi said.
“But I should not have moved it,” she added. “I'm sorry. And it will not happen again. Next question.”
Pressed for more information, Bondi said her staff “absolutely” knew the reason for the change of date. When asked to confirm that reason, conflicting as it did with her fundraiser, she declined to answer and instead said, “Next question.”
The Tribune also reports, "Emails: Families 'okay' with execution delay," by Rosica.
A day after Attorney General Pam Bondi's apology for causing the delay of an execution that was on the same night as her campaign fundraiser, her office released emails suggesting the victims' families were “okay” with the postponement.
The emails were disclosed Wednesday after The Tampa Tribune filed a public records request.
On Aug. 19, Carolyn Snurkowski—the deputy A.G. in charge of criminal appeals and a 40-year veteran of the office—wrote to Bondi chief of staff Carlos Muniz: “The families have been contacted and are okay. As soon as I get the Gov's letter telling the warden about the date I will notice the courts about the change of date.”
Muniz wrote in response: “Got it. Thanks. They had not told me of the final resolution, so it was good to get your call.”
"Fla. AG Bondi apologizes for execution delay," is by Gary Fineout for AP, via the CT Post.
During a brief session with reporters, Bondi said she was wrong and sorry three times.
But Bondi's office is refusing to answer certain questions about the decision to move the execution date, including who on Bondi's staff made the request to the Republican governor's office — and who from the Bondi campaign told her office about the date conflict.
Bondi did say on Tuesday that her staff knew the reason for the need to delay the execution date.
Bondi's office, in a response to a public records request from The Associated Press, maintains there was no correspondence or email exchanged by Bondi, her chief of staff, her executive staff, or the division that handles death row appeals concerning the need to reschedule Gore's execution date.
"Bondi vows to never again delay an execution…for a fundraiser," is Sarah Muller's post at MSNBC's Last Word.
Earlier in the month, Bondi issued a sort-of apology: “As a prosecutor, there was nothing more important than seeing justice done, especially when it came to the unconscionable act of murder. I personally put two people on death row and, as Attorney General, have already participated in eight executions since I took office, a role I take very seriously. The planned execution of Marshall Lee Gore had already been stayed twice by the courts, and we absolutely should not have requested that the date of the execution be moved.”
Bondi, who is up for re-election, was a major supporter of the governor’s so-called “Timely Justice Act,” a law – ironically in this case — designed to speed up the death penalty process. It was signed into law in June.
Gore’s execution has already been moved two times before, as mandated by the courts, pending questions over his sanity.
Earlier coverage of the Florida incident begins at the link. Other, more recent coverage from Florida is also available.
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