Governor turns down request to commute life sentence

Governor Tom Vilsack has denied a 49-year-old man’s wish to have his life prison sentence lifted.Richard Spence was convicted in Sioux City of rape and kidnapping in 1978 for attacks on two women. Spence says he’s now “rehabilitated” and he asked that his sentence be commuted. Governor Vilsack says the crimes Spence committed have caused a great deal of physical and emotional pain to the victims. Vilsack says Spence has shown NO signs of being rehabilitated because he “denies responsibility and fails to express remorse for his actions.” Spence will remain in the state prison in Anamosa.