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Killer Seeks Mercy, Cites Abuse, Brain Damage
29 Jun
Summary
- Carlos Cuesta-Rodriguez seeks clemency for 2003 murder.
- He shot his live-in girlfriend, Olimpia Fisher, in front of her pregnant daughter.
- His defense cites a history of abuse, brain damage, and substance abuse.
Carlos Cuesta-Rodriguez, 70, faces execution on August 13 for the 2003 murder of his live-in girlfriend, Olimpia Fisher, 43. He is seeking clemency from the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board. Fisher was shot twice in the eyes during an altercation at their Oklahoma City home, an event witnessed by her pregnant daughter. The Oklahoma Attorney General is opposing clemency, emphasizing Cuesta-Rodriguez's violent domestic abuse and murder.
Cuesta-Rodriguez's defense attorneys are presenting his difficult background, including escaping abuse and poverty in Cuba, suffering brain damage from a childhood accident, and developing substance abuse issues following a workplace injury. They contend that this information, which was not fully presented to the sentencing jury, warrants consideration for clemency. His legal team states he is remorseful, accepting responsibility for his actions, and is now frail with dementia.
