UK Telegraph - All 156 on death row reprieved by US retiring governor

In one of the most tumultuous days in the legal history of the state of Illinois, the retiring governor, George Ryan, said yesterday that he was commuting the sentences of all 156 inmates on the state's death row.

"Our capital system is haunted by the demon of error," said Governor Ryan yesterday. "Error in determining guilt, and error in determining who among the guilty deserves to die. Because of all these reasons, today I am commuting the sentences of all death row inmates."

The new governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, a Democrat, strongly criticised his predecessor's extraordinary last act. Blanket clemency, said Mr Blagojevich, was a "big mistake. Each case should be reviewed individually. You're talking about people who have committed murder".