Statement from Governor Lincoln D. Chafee Regarding the En Banc Opinion of the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals

After reviewing the 1^st Circuit Court of Appeals en banc opinion, and weighing the state’s considerable interests, I have decided to appeal the 1^st Circuit’s decision. Given the close vote of the full court, which demonstrates a genuine split in the interpretation of the law, the State of Rhode Island must seek to protect both the strong states’ rights issues at stake and the legitimacy of its longstanding public policy against the death penalty. My in-house legal staff has been handling this case and will continue to do so as part of their routine duties at no additional cost to the taxpayers of Rhode Island.

The National Governors Association, which represents the Governors of all 50 states, the Federal Public Defender’s Office, and the American Civil Liberties Union all stood with Rhode Island in the appeal before the 1^st Circuit, and their support is indicative of the state’s strong position.

As I have said throughout this long process, I regret that each time this case appears in the news it causes further pain for the Main family. I extend once again my most sincere condolences to them for their terrible loss, which resulted from such a senseless crime.