His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and husband to Queen Elizabeth II, has peacefully died at Windsor Castle. He was 99 years of age. In the past few years, Philip had experienced several health issues, including earlier this year. Pray for his family during this difficult time.
Apr 05, 2021
Execution Stayed for Tennessee Inmate Byron Black
Byron Lewis Black was scheduled to b executed on Thursday, April 8, 2021, in Nashville, Tennessee. His execution has been indefinitely stayed. Sixty-five-year-old Byron is convicted of murdering 29-year-old Angela Clay, and her two daughters, 9-year-old Latoya, and 6-year-old Lakeishsa on March 28, 1988.
Apr 05, 2021
25 Die in Bangladesh Ferry Crash
A ferry was hit by a cargo vessel on the Shitalakkhya River outside the capital of Bangladesh. The ferry capsized and at least 25 bodies have been recovered, with nine people still missing. Pray for the families of the deceased. Pray for the safety of the missing.
Apr 05, 2021
5 Police Officers Killed in India
An attack by Maoist insurgents has resulted in at least 5 police officers being killed, and another 18 going missing. A search is underway for those missing. The attack occurred in Sukma, in Chhattisgarh state. Pray for the families of the deceased. Pray for the safety of the missing. Pray for peace.
Apr 05, 2021
48 Die in Taiwan Train Crash
At least 48 people have died after the train in which they were riding, collided with a vehicle, derailing the train and causing it to roll down a hit. Over 100 people were also injured in the crash. Pray for the families of the deceased. Pray for healing for the injured.
Apr 05, 2021
Over 100 Die from Floods and Landslides in Indonesia
Flash floods and landslides have resulted din over 100 people dying. The floods and landslides were caused by heavy rains that caused dams to overflow. Dozens are still missing and rescue work is ongoing. Pray for the families of the deceased. Pray for the safety of the missing and the rescue workers.
Mar 29, 2021
Dozens Killed in Myanmar-Burma
Security forces have killed approximately 91 people in the deadliest day of protests against the armed military coup that occurred on February 1, 2021. Pray for the families of the deceased. Pray for a peaceful resolution.
Apr 05, 2021
Possible Reservoir Collapse in Florida
A leak has been discovered in a reservoir holding several million gallons of water in Bradenton, Florida. Attempts to repair the leak in the reservoir wall have been unsuccessful, leading to evacuations and preparations for the reservoir to collapse, releasing a wall of water. Pray for the safety of everyone in the area. Pray for all working on stopping the potentially devastating problem.
Welcome to the Forgiveness Foundation
Jason McGehee, Arkansas
Updated: Friday, March 16, 2018
On August 25, 2017, Governor Asa Hutchinson followed the recommendation of the Arkansas Parole Board and granted clemency to Jason McGehee. Jason was removed from death row and resentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The commutation was made final in October of 2017.
Updated: Thursday, April 27, 2017 12:12 pm EDT
The Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge has announced that she will not appeal the decision to stay the execution of Jason Ferrell McGehee. Jason's execution was stayed earlier this month.
Updated: Monday, April 17, 2017 9:09 am EDT
Jason Ferrell McGehee was scheduled to be executed around 9 pm CDT, on Thursday, April 27, 2017, at the Cummins Unit near Varner, Arkansas. His execution has been stayed. Forty-year-old Jason is convicted of the brutal murder of 15-year-old John Melbourne, Jr., on August 19, 1996, in Omaha, Arkansas. Jason has spent the last 19 years of his life on Arkansas’ death row.
Jason was granted a stay of execution by US District Judge D. Price Marshall Jr. Judge Marshall granted the stay after the Arkansas Parole Board recommended that Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson grant clemency to Jason. Due to that recommendation, Jason is entitled to a 30-day comment period, which will not expire until after the scheduled execution.
Jason allegedly had a difficult and violent childhood. As a child, he was forced to watch as his father killed two of his pets. He also watched his step-father beat another pet, which died from its injuries. His mother would force Jason to sleep outside for days, denying him access to a bathroom or food.
By August 19, 1996, at the age of 21, Jason McGehee lived in a house in Harrison, Arkansas, with several other males. The group made money by cashing stolen and forged checks. On that day, Jason sent the youngest member of the group, 15-year-old John Melbourne, Jr., to cash a stolen check at a local shoe store.
When John attempted to cash the check, the clerk told him that the check was filled out incorrectly. John returned later that day, with the check filled out correctly and was able to cash the check. The store’s owner was suspicious of John and his behavior, and called the bank to verify the authenticity of the check. The owner learned that the check was stolen and reported it to the police.
Police quickly found John and arrested him. John told police where he had received the check, along with the circumstances. Police went to the home where McGehee and the rest of the group lived. Police discovered several stolen checks, along with other stolen items.
After the police left, the group was upset at John for “snitching” to the police. John eventually returned to the home. McGehee questioned John as to what happened that afternoon. John denied telling the police anything. Another member of the group, Christopher Epps, attacked John and began beating him. McGehee and a third man, Benjamin McFarland, joined Epps in beating John for over an hour. Candace Campbell also lived at the house and witnessed and participated in the beating of John.
McGehee went to his neighbor’s home and convicted Robert Diemert to drive them all to Utah, stopping along the way in Omaha, Arkansas, at McGehee’s uncle’s house. They took a weakened, bruised, and swollen John with them. During the drive, Campbell and Diemert heard one of the men ask John how it felt to know that he was going to die.
After arriving in Omaha, McGehee, McFarland, and Epps, beat John for another hour. Campbell testified that McGehee did most of the beating. After telling Campbell and Diemert to wait in the vehicle, the three men took a naked John into the woods and took turns strangling him to death. When they returned from the woods laughing, McGehee told Diemert that John was fine. McFarland later told Campbell what had happened.
Over two weeks later, McGehee, McFarland, and Campbell were arrested in Utah, Campbell told police about the murder, including where they could find the body of John.
McGehee, the ringleader, was convicted of capital murder and kidnapping, and sentenced to death. McFarland and Epps were also convicted of the same crimes and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Campbell and Demerit were each convicted of battery and kidnapping. They were sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole.
Jason McGehee was scheduled to be executed on January 14, 2016. His execution was stayed, along with several others, by a judge with the Pulaski County Circuit Court. The execution was stayed due to legal challenges regarding the execution drugs.
Arkansas had planned to executed eight men over a 10 day period, beginning on Monday, April 17, 2017. Prior to the executions scheduled for that day, numerous appeals were filed in multiple courts, leading to a confusing mess of legal rulings. The first two executions, scheduled for Monday, April 17, 2017, were eventually stayed by the Arkansas Supreme Court. On Thursday, April 20, 2017, Arkansas carried out its first execution, that of Ledell Lee. Ledell’s execution occurred after multiple appeals to the Supreme Court of the United States, including appeals from drug companies who did not want their drugs being used in executions. The Supreme Court eventually rejected all arguments and allowed Ledell’s execution to be carried out shortly before the execution warrant expired. The second execution scheduled for Thursday night, that of Stacey Johnson, was stayed to allow time for additional DNA testing. Two more executions were carried out on Monday, April 24, 2017.
Kenneth Williams is also scheduled to be executed on Thursday, April 27, 2017, in Arkansas.
Please pray for peace and healing for the family of John Melbourne. Please pray for strength for the family of Jason McGehee. Please pray that if Jason is innocent, lacks the competency to be executed, or should not be executed for any other reason, evidence will be presented prior to his execution. Please pray that Jason may come to find peace through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, if he has not already.
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