EXECUTED MARCH 2002

BY FAX: 573-751-1495

March 4, 2002

Governor Bob Holden
Missouri Capital Building Rm.216
P.O. Box 720
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0720

Re: Jeff Tokar

Dear Governor Holden:

On behalf of the American Civil Liberties Union we urge you to grant clemency to Jeff Tokar, who is scheduled to be executed on March 6, 2002, and commute his sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole.  Such action is merited due to the compelling issues of Mr. Tokar's case.  

Mr. Tokar has been diagnosed with paranoid personality disorder, a condition described as 'bordering on delusion.'  This condition rendered him incapable of trusting and communicating effectively with his lawyers.  They, therefore, did not present important psychosocial legal issues that could have had a major impact on the charge for which Mr. Tokar was convicted and the sentence he received.  

Clemency and a commutation to life in prison can be granted with assurance that the interests of justice and safety will be served. Mr. Tokar did not have a history of violence. And by all accounts, Mr. Tokar has a reputation for being a non-violent and trust-worthy prisoner who draws great strength and direction from his religious faith.

It is likely that, had his mental illness been given due weight at trial, Mr. Tokar would not have been sentenced to death.  Under the circumstances, we respectfully ask that you grant clemency and commute his death sentence to life in prison.  

Sincerely,

Diann Rust-Tierney
ACLU Capital Punishment Project

Matt LeMieux
ACLU of Eastern Missouri