Teresa Lewis Faces Execution in the US Despite International Calls for Clemency

Teresa Lewis, a 41-year-old woman from rural Virginia, was scheduled to be executed by lethal injection for her involvement in the murder of her husband and stepson. Despite international calls for her sentence to be commuted to life in prison, the governor of Virginia, Bob McDonnell, has twice rejected clemency. Lewis's lawyers argue that she is borderline mentally retarded and was manipulated by one of her conspirators, Rodney Fuller. They claim that her low IQ of 72 means she could not have masterminded the killings. The European Union has also expressed concern, stating that executing someone with a mental disorder is a breach of human rights. Lewis had reportedly become a devout Christian and model prisoner, and had posted a recording on the internet singing the gospel hymn "I Need A Miracle." She chose a fried chicken breast, buttered peas, and chocolate cake for her final meal before her scheduled execution.

Key Takeaways:

• Teresa Lewis, a 41-year-old woman from Virginia, was scheduled to be executed for her involvement in the murder of her husband and stepson.
• Her lawyers argue that she is borderline mentally retarded and was manipulated by one of her conspirators, Rodney Fuller.
• Lewis's IQ is 72, which her lawyers claim means she could not have masterminded the killings.
• The European Union has expressed concern about the execution, stating that it would be a breach of human rights.
• Lewis had reportedly become a devout Christian and model prisoner, and had posted a recording on the internet singing the gospel hymn "I Need A Miracle."
• The governor of Virginia, Bob McDonnell, has twice rejected clemency for Lewis.
• Lewis's final meal was a fried chicken breast, buttered peas, and chocolate cake, washed down with Dr Pepper.
• The European Union and international human rights groups haveexpressed concern about the case, but their calls for clemency fell on unsympathetic ears.

Statistics:

• Lewis's IQ is 72.
• The European Union has expressed concern that executing someone with a mental disorder is a breach of human rights.
• 1912 was the last time a woman was executed in Virginia, when Virginia Christian was put to death for murdering her employer, Ida Belote.
• Lewis was moved to a windowless holding cell in the execution block at Greensville Correction Centre.
• Lewis's sentencing committee heard that she had planned to split £160,000 from a life insurance policy with her conspirators.

Sources:

• "Teresa Lewis, the US Woman facing execution," The Telegraph, reference not provided.
• "Virginia granny's fate sealed after 11th-hour calls to spare her life," The Daily Mail, reference not provided.