California Executes First Inmate in Three Years; Schwarzenegger's First

Early yesterday morning, CA executed 61-year-old Donald Beardslee, who was convicted and sentenced to death for killing two women during a drug deal more than 25 years ago.  More than 300 protesters were present at San Quentin for the execution.  The execution proceeded a few hours after Gov. Schwarzenegger rejected Beardslee's clemency petition for life in prison without parole and the Supreme Court rejected constitutional claims of cruel and unusual punishment and improper juror influence in rendering the death sentence.  This marked the first execution in California in 3 years, and the first during Schwarzenegger's term as Governor.  More... [Mark Godsey]