The Board of Pardons and Paroles spared the life of...

The Board of Pardons and Paroles spared the life of Alexander Williams (see Feb. 19). It is only the 7th time that the board has voted to commute a death sentence to life and the 1st granted because of mental illness. The board sent 3 psychiatrists to evaluate Williams last Thursday and they made an oral report to the board Monday morning. Based on the psychiatrists' findings, the board voted to commute Williams because of his mental illness.