Canvassers fight killer's vote request

CRANSTON, R.I. (WPRI) -- Two members of the Cranston Board of Canvassers are taking action in protest of a convicted child killer's request to vote in the November election.

Dr. Robert Muskian, one of three people on the board, resigned Friday over Michael Woodmansee's application for an absentee ballot.

Woodmansee was convicted of killing 5-year-old Jason Foreman in 1975. He voluntarily committed himself to the Eleanor Slater Hospital last year, after he was released from the ACI.

Muskian said Woodmansee's crime was so heinous, he does not deserve the right to vote.

"This man deprived a child of his right to vote forever," Muskian said.

Joseph DeLorenzo, the board's chairman, told Eyewitness News Friday he would not sign Woodmansee's absentee ballot. He said he would request a hearing next week.