Parole board denies clemency for ex-Fort Sill soldier

Tuesday, July 12th 2005, 6:05 am

By: News On 6

McALESTER, Okla. (AP) -- The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board denies clemency for a former Fort Sill soldier who shot and killed a Lawton convenience store clerk nearly 14 years ago.

The board voted 4-to-1 Monday against a request by convicted killer Michael Pennington.

The 37-year-old Pennington faces a July 19th execution for the October 21st, 1991, death of 20-year-old Bradley Grooms.

Prosecutors say Pennington shot Grooms with a shotgun as he was robbing the Seven-Eleven store where Grooms was working.

Pennington apologized to Grooms' parents, who didn't attend the hearing. He said there is nothing he can say or do that will wash away the hate and self-loathing.