Mo. Governor Heeds Pope's Plea

For years, Pope John Paul II has led a world-wide campaign against the death penalty, CBS News Correspondent Bob McNamara reports.

So when the state of Missouri postponed condemned killer Darrell Mease's Tuesday night execution because of the pontiff's visit to St. Louis, the Vatican dismissed the delay as "a mockery."

The pope personally pleaded with Missouri Gov. Mel Carnahan to spare Mease's life. As a result, Carnahan commutted the death sentence to life without parole.

"I suspect my action is probably more out of respect for the pope, but it is in fact an act of mercy," the governor said.

It was 11 years ago that Darrell Mease murdered his partner in drug-dealing, the man's wife and their grandson. He ambushed the three as their all-terrain vehicles crossed a creek.

Mease's prosecutor was disappointed at the papal intervention.

"I felt it was an appropriate case for the death penalty. It was one of two that I ever asked for as a prosecutor and if I had to do it again I would ask for the death penalty," said Jim Justus.

Under Carnahan, a Baptist and capital punishment supporter, Missouri has executed 26 men in his six years in office.

But it was after the pope's moving prayer service Wednesday night and the mercy pleas from Vatican leaders that Carnahan decided to act.

Mease's execution was postponed in December by the Missouri Supreme Court, apparently because of the pope's visit.

"It's one of those moments that you would never expect to happen in one's life. I would never expect it to happen again," Carnahan said.

The pontiff left St. Louis Wednesday night and returned home to Rome, where he said he was grateful for the governor's action.