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James E. Donald
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Albert R. Murray Vice Chair L. Gale Buckner Member Robert E. Keller Member Terry E. Barnard Member |
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News Release |
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For Immediate Release | Contact: Steve Hayes, Director
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January 31, 2011;
Roy W. Blankenship was found guilty in April of 1980 of burglary, murder and rape in the death of 78 year old Sarah Mims Bowen of Savannah. The court sentenced Blankenship to death and also sentenced him to two 20-year sentences for the burglary and rape, to run consecutive to the death sentence, but concurrent to each other. Blankenship confessed upon his arrest. The facts in the case detail the events the night of the murder. Blankenship left a bar in the early morning hours of March 2, 1978. Having worked for the victim previously, he decided to break into her Savannah home. Once inside, he found the victim sitting in a chair and he grabbed her from behind and as they struggled, she fell to the floor becoming unconscious. Blankenship carried her to a bed and raped her. Neighbors found the victim severely beaten and deceased. Footprints left at the scene led police toward Blankenship’s house, where they recovered shoes matching the footprints outside the victim’s apartment. Blankenship’s fingerprints were also found at the crime scene. Forensic evidence established Bowen died from heart failure brought on by the trauma.
The Board appointment will not be open to the media, but a photo opportunity will be afforded prior to the start of the appointment. Media should check in with credentials by 8:45 a.m. in the Board’s public reception office at 2 Martin Luther King, Jr., Drive, East Tower, 4 th Floor, room 458. Members of the media will be given an opportunity to wait until the conclusion of the appointment to interview those seeking executive clemency for Blankenship, if they choose to grant interviews.