Edgar commutes death sentence of condemned woman 

By Ray Long 
Associated Press Writer

SPRINGFIELD (AP) -- Gov. Jim Edgar today commuted the death sentence for
convicted killer Guinevere Garcia, sparing her from execution early Wednesday
despite her rejection of all attempts to save her life. 

Edgar said the circumstances of her crime -- shooting her husband during a
botched robbery attempt -- didn't justify a death sentence. He commuted the
sentence to natural life in prison without parole. 

"It is not the state's responsibility to carry out the wishes of a
defendant," Edgar said in a statement read by his counsel, William Roberts. 

It was the first time Edgar had granted such a request -- to a killer who
angrily rejected all attempts to save her life. 

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Edgar, who has refused clemency to all six men who were executed since he
took office in 1991, rejected suggestions that he made an exception because
she was a battered woman. 

"Some who have sought clemency on her behalf have raised the possibility that
she was a victim herself, a victim of battered woman syndrome," Edgar said.
"However, the evidence does not support that assertion. 

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