British Murder Suspect Commute Denied
Krishna Maharaj was convicted of a double murder in Miami in 1986.
Maharaj is serving a life sentence in a Florida prison. His case has drawn worldwide attention. Parliament member Peter Bottomley traveled 4-thousand miles to plea Maharaj’s case.
"When there’s a significant doubt of the fairness of a convictions or the process that led to it or evidence that was not frankly considered, people should be prepared to travel to do that," said Bottomley.
Maharaj’s attorney begged Governor Charlie Crist and the state Clemency Board to commute his sentence. They say Maharaj was in Ft. Lauderdale at the time of the murders and a man named Hynie Mayjar could have committed the crimes.
"Mayjar was in the room opposite the room where the murders occurred. There was blood on the door of his room," said Paul Lomas, attorney.
The victims’ family wept as they recounted the crime. Governor Crist sided with the family.
"I will deny the application of commute of sentence," said Crist.
Crist says the decision to deny Maharaj’s request was easy.
"There were a lot of high profile people from England who apparently had taken an interest in that case, but that shouldn’t be an influencing factor and it wasn’t today," said Crist.
Maharaj’s supporters say they’ll keep trying to get their countryman out of jail and back home to the UK.
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