·       Desmond Tutu, Premio Nobel per la Pace e Arcivescovo Emerito di Città del  Capo, rispondendo ad un preciso invito rivoltogli dalla Comunità di Sant’Egidio, ha scritto al Governatore del Texas Bush, affinchè salvi la vita di Johnny.

Riportiamo il contenuto della lettera:

“Dear Governor Bush,

Johnny Paul Penry is on death row in Huntsville. I write to appeal for the commutation of his sentence.

I do not wish to interfere in the merits of his case but i am shocked that a person who is mentally handicapped should be condemned to death It seems unreasonable taht a severely mentally impaired person should be handed down the ultimate sentence.

Those who are mentally or physically challenged are surely the particular responsibility of the State.

In a very real way he is a special child of the State of  Texas. He may have committed a horrible crime, but I would hope that Texans have it in their heartsto recognise that Johnny Penry has reduced responsibility due to his handicap.

The death penalty is inappropriate and unChristian particularly in such a case.

This would be an opportunity to demonstrate compassion and mercy, indispensable elements elements of statesmenship.

God Bless you

The most Reverend Desmond M. Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus