Inmate Says State Lost Chance To Execute Him

By Kristian Foden-Vencil (OPB)
Portland, Oregon Aug. 7, 2015 12 p.m.

An attorney for death row inmate Gary Haugen has filed a motion to strike his death sentence.

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Eight years ago, a jury convicted Haugen in the aggravated murder of a fellow inmate. An execution date was set for 2011, but Gov. John Kitzhaber issued a reprieve.

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Haugen’s attorney, Jeff Ellis, said if for any reason a death sentence is not carried out, Oregon law dictates that the court has to issue a new death warrant and a new date.

Speaking from death row, Haugen said the court hasn’t done that.

"They lost their ability to put a bullet in my head," he said. "They should of did it when they had the chance because now they lost their ability to do so. So, my position is this: How do you like them apples?"

Haugen was the only death row inmate who had a date set for an execution when Kitzhaber issued a reprieve.

Marion County District Attorney Walter Beglau said he’ll file a response when he sees the motion.

Gov. Kate Brown has said she personally opposes the death penalty, but she hasn’t ruled out allowing executions to resume.

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