Bishop: Planned execution is an affront

Even though Abeyta has refused to pursue additional court appeals, Straling said the execution "denies the sacredness of life which mandates that no human life can be taken away as punishment."

Abeyta, 46, has told psychiatrists that it is God's will he die for the murder of his ex-girlfriend, Donna Martin, in Las Vegas in October 1989. He is spending his final days at the Nevada State Prison in Carson City and the execution by lethal injection is set for 12:01 a.m. Monday.

Prison spokesman Glen Whorton said Abeyta's family is scheduled to visit him but he didn't know the time.

There will be 11 representatives of the news media and seven or eight other witnesses at the execution, Whorton said. He wouldn't reveal whether any members of the victim's family have asked to attend.

Straling, in a news release, said that by coincidence this Sunday is "Respect Life Sunday - a day when Catholics throughout the country observe and pray for a greater respect for all human life."

A vigil is planned outside the prison Sunday night at about 9:30 p.m. Prayers will be offered for the victim, for Abeyta and for both of their families.

Abeyta and his half-brother, Casey Korsmo, broke into Martin's home in search of drugs. She apparently was passed out from using too many drugs and Abeyta sat on her back, grabbed her hair and shot her twice in the head.

Korsmo pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and received a life sentence with possibility of parole.

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