Tennessee inmate who claims innocence asks for clemency

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee death row inmate who has always claimed innocence is asking the governor to commute his sentence to life in prison. Pervis Payne is scheduled to die on Dec. 3 for the 1987 stabbing deaths of Charisse Christopher and her 2-year-old daughter, Lacie Jo. Payne, who is Black, told police he was trying to help the victims but panicked when he saw a white policeman and ran away. A petition sent to Gov. Bill Lee on Monday by Payne’s lawyers asks the govern