Innocent Man who was Executed is Pardoned Posthumously by Colorado Governor

The ougoing governor of Colorado, Bill Ritter, has just pardoned Joe Arridy. Arridy was convicted of murder and executed in Colorado in 1939. The governor said that overwhelming evidence suggested Arridy did not commit the crime.

Arridy was reported to have an I.Q. of 46. He was convicted on the basis of a coerced confession.

This is apparently the first time a Colorado governor has pardoned a person who has been executed.

Reuters has a very good account.

Back in 1997, I coordinated an editorial team that published the International Sourcebook on Capital Punishment. It included a book review by Professor Mike Radelet about the Arridy case.

Thanks to Mike Radelet.