OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — A death row inmate at the center of a high-profile murder case will go before the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board to seek clemency one month before his scheduled execution.
James Pavatt was sentenced to death for the 2001 murder of Rob Andrew, a 39-year-old Oklahoma City advertising executive and father of two.
Evidence presented at Pavatt’s trial showed that he began an affair with Andrew’s wife, Brenda Andrew, in 2001.
Pavatt’s attorneys say he had a distinguished military career before being convicted of first-degree murder.
“The Air Force considered him among the absolute best enlisted airmen and noncommissioned officers of his generation — not an ordinary typical service record, but an extraordinarily distinguished one. One marked not only by technical expertise, but by an uncommon compassion for those placed under his charge,” said Art. C. Cody, a retired U.S. Navy Captain and the Director of the Center for Veteran Criminal Advocacy.
Pavatt’s attorneys say close to 100 U.S. military veterans have signed onto a letter of support, which has been sent to the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board.
“The Veterans who are raising their voices to urge Oklahoma state leaders to spare Jim’s life in recognition of his distinguished and selfless military service to the United States represent an estimated 750 years of combined military service to this Country,” said Hunter Labovitz, Assistant Federal Public Defender. “These voices include Generals, one of whom was the Air Force Chief of Staff. We hope that the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board will heed their call, and prevent the travesty of justice that would result if Jim is executed the day after Veterans’ Day by the state and country that he so honorably served.”
As Pavatt’s attorneys seek clemency, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond is encouraging the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board to deny his request.
“Rob Andrew was gunned down in his own garage, feet from the children he loved, by a man he had trusted as a friend and an insurance agent,” Drummond said. “Twenty-five years later, Pavatt still won’t tell the truth about what he did. There must be justice for Rob.”
Drummond claims Pavatt spent weeks, if not months, plotting the murder of his close friend.
Pavatt’s clemency hearing before the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board is scheduled for Oct. 14 at 9 a.m.
His execution is scheduled for Nov. 12.
