Valley Man Next in Line for Execution

Thursday, January 12, 2006

December 13, 2005 -- San Quentin Prison is now preparing for the execution of its next death row inmate, Fresno's Clarence Ray Allen.

Allen was convicted of arranging a triple murder at a Fresno County market. In 1980, three young people were shot to death in the market by a hired hit man as part of an effort to cover a past crime.

Now, after a quarter of a century, preparations are underway for his execution.

He is 75 years old, has suffered a stroke and has heart problems, but he is still scheduled to be put to death by the state on January 17th. Clarence Ray Allen has grown old on death row. He's been at San Quentin since 1982. Death penalty activists say his execution would be an injustice.

"Clarence Ray Allen committed terrible crimes. But does it make sense to take a 75-year-old diabetic out of a wheelchair and strap him to a gurney to execute him, instead of just letting him die?" asked actor and death penalty opponent Mike Ferrell.

Prison spokesman Vernell Crittendon confirms Allen is moved around in a wheelchair. "He is mobile, but he moves so slowly we've found it's easier to move him around the prison in a wheelchair," he said.

But Crittendon says the plan is to have him walk the final 15 feet to the execution chamber, where he will be given a lethal injection.

Prison officials are not expecting the same crowds drawn by "Tookie" Williams, but note Allen is attracting attention. Allen receives letters and visits, but he's not a celebrity like Williams.

Leaders of the anti-death penalty movement are planning to protest at Allen's execution.

He may be allowed to spend his final days in a cell next to his friend, death row inmate Ward Weaver, a mass murderer. Allen is also friends with newcomer Scott Peterson. Allen has asked Governor Schwarzenegger for clemency. He is set to die on January 17th.

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