A group of retired state and federal judges is urging clemency for Illinois's death row inmates "whose conviction was tainted by flaws in the state's capital punishment system."

"Individually, however, some justices said the system is so riddled with problems that the governor should grant blanket clemency."

"The only way to be fair, the only way to be just, the only way to be equal is for the governor to change the death sentences ... to life without the possibility of," said R. Eugene Pincham, a former state appellate judge."

"Retired state appellate Judge Anthony Scariano said that while there must be changes in the law to protect defendants in the future, "clemency is the proper way to address the problems of the past."

Outgoing Illinois Governor George Ryan has the matter under consideration. He has said he doubts he will grant blanket commutations, but will consider each case individually.

We support clemency for all current death row inmates. For background on the Illinois clemency issue, see our prior post here.