Attorney General Gentner Drummond has filed an emergency petition requesting the state Pardon and Parole Board to convene on Wednesday. The purpose of the meeting is to decide whether clemency should be recommended for Kevin Underwood, a death row inmate convicted of child murder. This action follows the board's announcement last Friday that it would delay this week's clemency hearing due to the resignation of two board members.
Drummond emphasized that despite the resignations, there are still enough members remaining on the board to form a quorum. He submitted a writ of mandamus to the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, urging against postponing justice for Jamie Rose Bolin, who was murdered in 2006 at the age of ten.
"Jamie’s family has already waited 18 agonizing years to see justice served," Drummond stated. "Adding further delay is needless and unconscionable. Kevin Underwood is a deeply evil monster whose execution absolutely should be carried out without further setback. I urge Gov. Stitt to ensure justice is served at last in this hideous case."
Kevin Underwood was sentenced to death in 2008 for what has been described as one of Oklahoma's most depraved crimes. Underwood meticulously planned and executed the abduction, rape, and murder of his neighbor, a fifth-grade student, with intentions of cannibalism.