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Petition Tag - don gilson
1. Justice for little Shane Coffman! 
It is clear why Don Gilson recived the death penalty. He is a child killer and abuser. He murdered 8 year old Shane Coffman. Some people are trying to argue the fact that Don Gilson was in a car wreck in 1993 and suffered brain damage and this in some way led to the abuse and eventually murder. This does not explain why while he was married to a woman named Ruby from 1983 to 1991, she and her children were also abused by Don Gilson. He broke his Ruby's nose on one occasion and would punch her daughter lynetta in the face with his closed fist. He would also beat her son Delbert with a board and he stated in court documents "it did not matter where he hit him." So his pattern of abuse was established long before the car accident. Don Gilson has no family history of abuse.
Ms.Coffman, the childrens mother did not receive the death penalty. Many believe she does deserve it though. The judge spared her life only to lessen the suffering of her children who had already been through so much. He stated killing her was to good for her, that she should go to bed every night and wake up every morning thinking about what she had done for the rest of her life. He said he should stay caged like the animal she is. Since she is biologically connected she has more guilty feelings over her children than Don Gilson. Don Gilson only showed remorse when he knew he was caught. He stated in numerous interviews with the FBI and law enforcement agencies that Shane just gave up on life. He said even animals have that instinct to stay alive, but he just quit. Well, little Shane did not just quit, he had the life beaten out of his little body. Don Gilson was the main perpetrator of the abuse of the Coffman children and the murder of Shane. He is the true definition of a monster.
For more information go to www.justiceforshane.weebly.com
Clemency Themes: We are presenting 3 major grounds for Mercy/ Clemency.
First, due to the unique circumstances, Don faces an execution even though it is unclear what conduct he is being executed for. Even his jurors say they did not know who inflicted the abuse causing Shane’s death. This was expressed both in their split verdict and recent Affidavits submitted.
Second, it is unfair Ms. Coffman received a life sentence while Don is executed, when the overwhelming evidence points to Ms. Coffman as the “committer” and Don the “permitter.” This result is distressing to certain jurors, who denounce their death verdict in light of Ms. Coffman’s sentence. Two jurors say they’d be “relieved” if Don’s death sentence was commuted to life. Id.
Third, Don’s involvement in the offense is likely attributable in great part to his profound brain damage suffered from a near fatal 1993 auto accident. The accident resulted in loss of 25% to 33% of the functioning of his brain. A mentally impaired Mr. Gilson walked into a deeply dysfunctional situation which he was simply not equipped to handle. The mitigating evidence of his permanent brain impairment was never presented to his sentencing jury.
