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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A Tennessee death row inmate who has always claimed innocence is asking the governor to commute his sentence to life in prison.

Pervis Payne, 53, is scheduled to die on Dec. 3 for the 1987 stabbing deaths of Charisse Christopher and her 2-year-old daughter.

Payne told police he was trying to help the victims but panicked when he saw a white policeman and ran away.

A petition sent to Gov. Bill Lee on Monday by Payne’s lawyers asks the governor to at least postpone his execution until lawmakers can fix a loophole that prevents him from presenting evidence of intellectual disability in court.