American Government Unit: Missouri Government A Day: Monday, October 5, 2015 B Day: Tuesday, October 6, 2015

American Government Agenda Monday, October 5, 2015 Tuesday, October 6, 2015 Do Now – Discuss Do Now - Discuss possible news stories done for homework CNN Student News Project: State Powers Comic Strip (Continue) Activity: Missouri Scavenger Hunt (if time)

American Government A Day: Monday, October 5, 2015 B Day: Tuesday, October 6, 2015 OBJECTIVE SWBT show understanding of state powers using a cartoon strip. DO NOW Read this news article: Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon on Friday spared the life of a death row inmate four days before the scheduled execution, saying he did so after "significant consideration" of the circumstances but without explaining further. The death sentence for Kimber Edwards, who had been scheduled to die Tuesday for the contract killing of his ex- wife in suburban St. Louis in 2000, was commuted to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Nixon said in a statement that he remains convinced that evidence supports Edwards' first-degree murder conviction. "At the same time, however, I am using my authority under the Missouri Constitution to commute Edwards' sentence to life without the possibility of parole," the Democratic governor said. "This is a step not taken lightly, and only after significant consideration of the totality of the circumstances. With this decision, Kimber Edwards will remain in prison for the remainder of his life for this murder.“ Answer these questions: 1) Summarize the article in 1 to 3 sentences. 2) What do you think “commuted” means? 3) Who spared the life of the prisoner? 4) What gives the governor this power?

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