The sister of James Reid is pleading for her brother's life and asking the governor for clemency. Reid is scheduled to be executed on Thursday evening in Virginia. Reid's sister argues that Reid should be spared because his attorney botched his defense. According to Reid's sister, Reid's counsel put on no defense and at times nodded off at counsel's table. Reid suffered seizures as a child which caused brain damage and has an IQ of 79. During his trial, his lawyers told him he could not receive the death penalty and he had no defense. They encouraged him to file an Alford plead to his indictment before ever reviewing his medical records. An Alford plea is tantamount to a guilty plea where the defendant does not admit the act but admits the prosecution is likely to find him guilty. Reid's counsel apparently advised him that if he made an Alford plea he would probably get a sentence of 20 to life. Since Reid's conviction, his trial counsel has been forced to give up his license for making false statements to the state bar about his representation of Reid.
Sister pleads for stay of execution
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