sentences:  He lost state and federal appeals due to procedural rules that barred review of errors that were not objected to at the time of trial.The case attracted international attention as his execution date was scheduled in February 1991.Three days before the execution date, Governor Douglas Wilder commuted Giarratano's death sentence, with a pardon sentencing him to life imprisonment with a recommendation for new trial, and possibility of parole after 25 years (given the time already served, this would have made Giarratano eligible for parole in 13 years.)