OPINION- Guest writer

A life spared

Thank you, Governor

Last Friday, Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced that he intends to commute the death sentence Jason McGehee received for his role in the death of my beloved brother John Melbourne Jr.

I want to thank Governor Hutchinson for choosing to spare Jason's life. I have met personally with the governor to express why I have forgiven Jason and why I believe he should not be executed. I speak for many of my family members as well who want to see Jason live. I am now ready to share our reasons publicly.


When my brother was killed, three boys took part in his death; Jason was not the one who actually took John's life. I don't believe his punishment is fair. I feel as though he was singled out from the rest of the participants. The other two boys don't face death, and the one who took John's life will be eligible for parole.

That's part of why the Arkansas Parole Board made a very rare recommendation that Jason's life be spared, by a 6-1 vote.

The parole board was moved by the judge from Jason's trial, who wrote the board a letter asking for clemency, something he had never done in any other case. The judge heard all the evidence in each boy's case and does not believe that Jason deserves a greater penalty than the others.

The parole board also heard from Ray Hobbs, the former head of the Department of Correction, and a prison chaplain. Mr. Hobbs called Jason's rehabilitation "remarkable" and discussed how clemency could give hope to other men on death row. The chaplain described how Jason has helped other inmates. Both feel Jason should live.

I am glad that the governor listened to these voices and also considered the opinions and feelings of myself and my family. I do not want Jason to die for what he did and I know deep in my heart that my brother John would have felt the same.

Though Jason took part in an obviously heinous crime, my family members and I don't need to see him die for it. That isn't closure. One life doesn't replace another. Executing Jason would just have increased someone else's pain--the pain felt by Jason's family.

My brother's life was horrid. John was abused mentally and physically every day by our abusive father. He was kicked out repeatedly. Had John felt he had a safe haven, I'm sure he'd have been home instead of on the streets.

Though our father didn't show him much kindness, my brother John was a very forgiving soul, always sticking up for people, even those who made bad mistakes. He always saw the good beyond the bad in oneself. John was well beyond his years for being only 15 years old. He is missed every day.

In our hearts, my family members and I know that John would not have wanted Jason to be executed.

I am not mad at Jason, nor do I hate him. I've forgiven him. Jason addressed the parole board at his clemency hearing and expressed his remorse: "None of us can take the pain away from John's family. I wish I could make my involvement up to them, but that's not possible. I'm sorry for my involvement. I know that they can't, but I wish they could accept my apology."

I do accept Jason's apology, and I believe he is truly remorseful.

I believe Jason has a purpose on this earth. He will be such a positive influence on other inmates. Not to mention the positive things he can do, even if it is from a prison cell.

I thank the governor for listening to the chorus of voices, including mine, recommending mercy for Jason McGehee.

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Carissa Renee Melbourne is a business owner and mother of four. She lives in Northwest Arkansas.

Editorial on 08/28/2017

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