by Matt Barr

Condemned organ donors

This is intriguing beyond the scope of its facts.

A convicted murderer who sought a reprieve so he could donate part of his liver to his ailing sister was executed early Wednesday....

The governor said he accepted the sincerity of Johnson's motivation in trying to donate part of his liver, but that medical experts had advised against it....

The governor's office released a letter Daniels received from two transplant doctors who said the presence of a hepatitis B antibody in Johnson's system and his heavy body weight made him unsuitable as a donor.

Given the sister's condition and the fact that she likely will need a kidney as well, she would be better served by obtaining a full liver and kidney from the same donor through customary channels, the letter said.

Should we give capital convicts extra time on earth if they donate their organs, do you think? It's no great bargain, when you think about the fact they're still living on death row, but life is life. If you say yes, what happens when you get someone whose organs aren't in good enough shape to be used, like Johnson? Is it the thought that counts, or is he out of luck?

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