Oklahoma death row inmate Richard Fairchild has clemency hearing scheduled for Wednesday
Richard Fairchild was sentenced to death for the 1993 death of his girlfriend’s 3-year-old son in Del City
Richard Fairchild was sentenced to death for the 1993 death of his girlfriend’s 3-year-old son in Del City
Richard Fairchild was sentenced to death for the 1993 death of his girlfriend’s 3-year-old son in Del City
Another Oklahoma death row inmate will plead his case before the Pardon and Parole Board.
Richard Fairchild has a clemency hearing scheduled for Oct. 12. He has been on death row for the 1993 death of his girlfriend’s 3-year-old son in Del City.
Fairchild filed a clemency petition Wednesday. Fairchild’s attorneys said he was raised in an extremely abusive home riddled with alcohol and substance abuse.
The petition goes on to say Fairchild has significant brain damage from his time as an amateur boxer during his teen years. Fairchild’s attorneys said the brain damage wasn’t brought up at his trial.
The clemency petition said Fairchild can “no longer tell the difference between reality and delusions” due to brain deterioration.
“Mr. Fairchild is now suffering from the effects of major mental illness, namely schizoaffective disorder, leaving him tortured with continued delusions," attorney Emma Rolls, Oklahoma first assistant federal public defender, said in a statement. "His psychosis has been confirmed over the course of years by Oklahoma’s Department of Corrections and often goes untreated. Mercy is now fitting."
Attorneys representing Fairchild said he is an “outstanding” inmate who hasn’t caused any problems while on death row.
Fairchild’s execution date is set for Nov. 17, which is also his birthday. He is one of three death row inmates scheduled for execution before the end of the year.