By C1 Staff
MIAMI-DADE, Fla. — Despite having already been stayed twice due to legal skirmishes over his sanity, the execution of a rapist who murdered his victims was delayed once more in September - this time, though, it was for a fundraiser.
Attorney General Patti Bondin persuaded Governor Rick Scott to postpone the execution of 50-year-old Marshall Lee Gore because it conflicted with her re-election kick-off reception, according to Tampa Bay Times.
Gore raped, strangled and stabbed Robyn Novick, 30, in 1988 before dumping her body into a trash heap. He was also sentenced to die for the slaying of 19-year-old Susan Roark.
Phyllis Novick, mother of Robyn Novick, demanded answers for the continued delay.
Scott at first responded that he did not know the cause of the delay, but later said “when another Cabinet officer asks for something, we try to work with them,” according to Tampa Bay Times.
Bondi eventually responded to questions, saying she had made a mistake.
“As a prosecutor, there was nothing mroe important than seeing justice done, especially when it came to the unconscionable act of murder. I personally put two people on death row and, as Attorney General, have already participated in eight executions since I took office, a role I take very seriously,” she told the Times.
“The planned execution of Marshall Lee Green had already been stayed twice by the courts, and we absolutely should not have requested that the date of execution be moved.”
The delay keeps Gore on death row an extra 21 days at the cost of $1,000, according to DOC estimates. The new execution date is October 1.