In an unprecedented move, the government of the United Kingdom has interceded in a death penalty case in the United States and expressed deep concern over the imminent execution of British national Tracy Housel.

British government officials including Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, the United Kingdom Ambassador to the United States and UK Members of Parliament, have contacted Georgia officials, including Governor Roy Barnes, on behalf of clemency
for Mr. Housel.

The Georgia Board of Pardons and Parole is scheduled to hear Mr. Housel’s case on Monday, March 11 at 10 a.m. Vera Baird, British Member of Parliament and high ranking barrister, will travel from London to attend the clemency hearing. Sister Helen Prejean, the author of Dead Man Walking, and who has a personal relationship with Mr. Housel, will also be present at the hearing.

Foreign governments, including Mexico, Canada and Germany, have sought similar relief for foreign nationals on death row in the United States. The United Kingdom, however, has never done so until now.

Mr. Housel’s execution is scheduled for Tuesday, March 12, 2002 at 7 p.m. He has been on Georgia’s death row for nearly 17 years. He was convicted of a murder of Jeanne Drew. Housel had no significant prior criminal record. His case is troubling in a number of respects including a lawyer at trial who had no prior experience in defending capital cases.