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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Governor Gets Letters, Prayers After Execution

Associated Press

They extended thanks, praise, sympathy and admiration. But mostly they offered prayers.

People from across the state flooded the office of Gov. Marc Racicot with letters last week commending him for refusing to grant clemency to convicted killer Duncan McKenzie Jr. McKenzie was executed by lethal injection May 10 for the 1974 murder of Lana Harding near Conrad.

Most of the letters were written the day of the execution or the following day. Racicot made his decision against clemency the day before the execution.

Here is a sampling of the letters.

Dee Cramer, Helena: “While I personally do not agree with your decision regarding McKenzie, I’m touched by the strength and dignity with which you presented yourself during what must have been an unbelievably difficult time. Never again will I complain about having ‘a bad day’ without thinking of the very, very bad days you must have had deciding about this matter.”

Virginia MacKay, Roscoe: “My heart goes out to you because of the decision you had to make this past week regarding the death penalty. I feel strongly that it was a right and proper decision.”

Bob Kern, Bozeman: “Please don’t second-guess yourself. You did as well as a human can.”