Samuel Flippen is scheduled to be executed on August 18 in North Carolina for the 1994 death of his two-year-old step-daughter, Britnie Hutton. On the day of Britnie’s death, Flippen made emergency 911 calls seeking medical attention for her. There had been no history of him previously injuring Britnie. Defense attorneys claim that Flippen’s actions preceding Britnie’s death are strong evidence that he had no intention of harming his step-daughter. The attorneys are seeking clemency from the governor.

Before being sent to death row, Flippen had never been charged or convicted of any crime. He was devoted to his school and church and was known as an upstanding and contributing member of the community. The state originally offered Flippen a plea bargain to second degree murder.

Britnie’s father is opposed to Flippen’s execution. During the trial, he got to know Flippen’s mother and father well. He says he knows how terrible it is to lose a child and does not want Flippen’s parents to suffer in the same way. He has said that the State of North Carolina does not need to execute Flippen for justice to be served.

(Attorney Press Release, August 3, 2006). See also Clemency and Arbitrariness