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Donations Welcome to Help ...
03/11/2010 10:00pm by Scott CobbIf anyone would like to help us train the next generation of anti-death penalty activists by donating to the Anti-Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break, you can donate by paypal or by sending a check to:
Texas Moratorium Network
3616 Far West Blvd, Suite 117, Box 251
Austin, Texas 78731
paypal@texasmoratorium.org or use this url
http://tinyurl.com/yeau24m
We have students registered from across Texas and some from other states. They will spend four days in Austin with six innocent people exonerated from death row. We will teach them about the injustice of the death penalty and how to work to change public policy. There will be workshops on working with the media, building coalitions, art and activism, lobbying, religion and the death penalty, mental illness, murder victims family members, and more. On the last day, the students will organize a press conference and panel discussion at the capitol and a couple of them will speak at the rally on the south steps of the Texas Capitol along with the six death row exonerees.
The full schedule of events is on the website:
http://springbreakalternative.org/deathpenalty
Thanks!
David Lee Powell Schedule ...
03/04/2010 07:59am by Scott CobbAfter more than 30 years, a date is set for the execution of a man convicted in the killing of an Austin police officer.
David Lee Powell is on death row for shooting and killing Officer Ralph Ablanedo in 1978.
Powell will be executed by lethal injection June 15.
Your Comment
Vote for " Abolish ...
02/23/2010 11:36am by Scott Cobb
http://www.change.org/ideas/view/abolish_the_death_penalty
Texas Moratorium Network sent an email out a few days ago asking people to vote for "Abolish the Death Penalty" in the Ideas for Change contest at Change.org. 236 TMN members have voted so far, which is a little more than one-quarter of the total votes of 820 as of now. Thanks for everyone who already voted. If you have not yet voted, please do. We need another hundred votes or so to move into the top ten. The idea was started at change.org by Gilles Denizot . Nice job Gilles!
http://www.change.org/ideas/view/abolish_the_death_penalty
Take a moment to vote for the Abolish the Death Penalty as an Idea for Change in America at Change.org. (You will have to register atChange.org to vote.) If the idea becomes one of the top ten, Change.org will host an event in Washington, DC, where each of the 10 ideas will be presented to representatives of the media, the nonprofit community, and to relevant officials in the Obama Administration. After the announcement, Change.org will mobilize the full resources of their staff, their 1 million community members, and their extended network of bloggers to support a series of grassroots campaigns to turn each idea into reality.
This is the second annual ideas competition powered by Change.org. The first competition was launched immediately following the 2008 presidential election, during which time people submitted more than 7,500 ideas and 650,000 votes.
How it Works
Beginning January 20, 2010, individuals and organizations everywhere can (1) submit ideas for change they want to see implemented, (2) discuss these ideas with others, and (3) vote for their favorite ideas and promote them across the web.
During the first round of voting, ideas will be organized into 20 different issue-based categories. First round voting ends at 5pm ET on February 25th, at which point the three top ranked ideas in each category will advance to the second (and final) round of voting, starting March 1, 2010 . In this final round, all 60 qualifying ideas (top three in each of 20 categories) will be in open competition. The final round of voting concludes at 5pm ET on March 11th, and the 10 most popular ideas at the conclusion of voting will be named winners – the “Top 10 Ideas for Change in America.”
The Top 10 Ideas for Change in America
To formally announce the winners, Change.org will host an event in Washington, DC, whereeach of these top 10 ideas will be presented to representatives of the media, the nonprofit community, and to relevant officials in the Obama Administration. After the announcement, Change.org will mobilize the full resources of their staff, their 1 million community members, and their extended network of bloggers to support a series of grassroots campaigns to turn each idea into reality.
How to Turn this Idea into Reality?
We need to remain first and be amongst the Top 10 Ideas for Change in America on March 4th, 2010. We need to build a movement to support this idea and bring it to Washington D.C.
We need to understand that it will ONLY happen if we do what we need to make it happen. And we only have until February 25th, 2010! Let’s get ready for Washington D.C.
Demand DNA Testing for Ha ...
02/19/2010 08:09am by Scott Cobb
Texas Moratorium Network sent an email out asking people to sign the petition for Hank Skinner that sends an email to the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. It looks like the number of signers went up by about 500 soon after the email went out, so thank you to all the TMN members who signed. The total is now over 5,000. If you have not signed yet, please do.
Sign the petition here:
http://www.change.org/actions/view/hey_texas_please_dont_execute_an_inno...
Write, call, fax or email your own letter to the Board of Pardons and Paroles and Texas Governor Rick Perry. Urge them to stay the execution to allow testing of DNA. In the subject line of your emails or in any letters to the Board of Pardons and Paroles, write "Attention Case of Hank Skinner #999143".
Hank Skinner is scheduled to be executed in Texas on March 24 for three murders he maintains he didn't commit. Several key pieces of biological evidence from the crime scene have not been tested. DNA testing could prove Skinner's innocence or confirm his guilt, but prosecutors are opposing Skinner's appeals and seeking to execute him. There are several pieces of probative biological evidence from the crime scene that haven't been tested. Among this untested evidence are hairs from one victim's hand, a rape kit, fingernail clippings and a windbreaker that could have been worn by an alternate suspect. It is crucial that this testing be conducted before Texas carries out a sentence it can't reverse.
DNA testing can prove the truth. It is not a delay tactic or a diversion -- it has the potential to confirm Skinner's guilt or prove him innocent and you would be making a grave mistake to allow Skinner to executed without first conducting DNA tests.
Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, Texas 78711-2428
Fax: 512-463-1849
Main number: 512-463-2000
Website email contact form
Clemency Section
Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles
8610 Shoal Creek Blvd.
Austin, TX 78757-6814
Fax (512) 467-0945
bpp-pio@tdcj.state.tx.us
Your Comment
vote for the Abolish the ...
02/18/2010 09:40am by Scott CobbTake a moment to vote for the Abolish the Death Penalty as an Idea for Change in America at Change.org.
http://www.change.org/ideas/view/abolish_the_death_penalty
(You will have to register at Change.org to vote.) If the idea becomes one of the top ten, Change.org will host an event in Washington, DC, where each of the 10 ideas will be presented to representatives of the media, the nonprofit community, and to relevant officials in the Obama Administration. After the announcement, Change.org will mobilize the full resources of their staff, their 1 million community members, and their extended network of bloggers to support a series of grassroots campaigns to turn each idea into reality.
Finally, if you want to spend four days learning about the death penalty and training to take action, register for the Anti-Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break, March 15-19, 2010 in Austin, Texas.
http://springbreakalternative.org/deathpenalty
It is designed for high school and college students, but all the workshops and events are open to the public of all ages. We have arranged many interesting speakers, including four innocent, exonerated former death row prisoners, Curtis McCarty, Ron Keine, Shujaa Graham and Perry Cobb, as well as the national director of Sister Helen Prejean's Dead Man Walking School Theatre Project, Bill Pelke of Journey of Hope, Susannah Sheffer of Murder Victims' Families for Human Rights and Brian Evans from the Washington D.C. office of Amnesty International.
If anyone is interested, you can register at the website http://springbreakalternative.org/deathpenalty
Your Comment
Todd Willingham - Innocent and Executed
TMN's Scott Cobb on CNN October 2, 2009
Todd Willingham - Innocent Man Executed in Texas (Nightline Sept 17, 2009) from Scott Cobb on Vimeo.
Sign the petition to Governor Rick Perry and the State of Texas to acknowledge that the fire in the Cameron Todd Willingham case was not arson, therefore no crime was committed and on February 17, 2004, Texas executed an innocent man.March for Abolition 2009 from Matt Crump on Vimeo
Anti-Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break
http://springbreakalternative.org/deathpenalty Join us March 15-19, 2010 in Austin, Texas for the award-winning Anti-Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break. It's free, except for a $25 housing fee for those who need us to arrange housing for you. We will house you in a shared room with other spring breakers in either a hotel or dorm. You are responsible for your travel, food and other expenses, but the program and most of the housing costs are on us. The $25 housing fee is all you pay. * Recipient of the 2007 Campus Progress Award for "Action Campaign of the Year" * Featured on MTV"s TRL and "The Amazing Break" * Workshops on Grassroots Organizing, Organizing Demonstrations, Media Relations, Lobbying, the Death Penalty, and more Alternative Spring Breaks are designed to give college and high school students something more meaningful to do during their week off, rather than just spending time at the beach or sitting at home catching up on school work. The specific purpose of the Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break is to bring students together for five days of anti-death penalty activism, education and entertainment. This is the place to be if you want to become a part of the next generation of human rights leaders. Go to the beach to change your state of mind for a week, come here to change the world forever We will provide participants with workshops led by experienced, knowledgeable presenters who will teach them skills that they can use to go back home and set up new anti-death penalty student organizations or improve ones that may already exist. The skills participants will learn can also be used in other issues besides the death penalty. Students will gain valuable training and experience in grassroots organizing, lobbying, preparing a direct action and media relations. During the week, students will immediately put what they learn into action during activities such as a Death Penalty Issues Lobby Day and a Protest Day. There will be opportunities to write press releases, speak in public, meet with legislators or their aides, and conceive and carry out a direct action.
Start: 03/15/2010 12:14pm
End: 03/19/2010 12:14pm
The number of attendees is not limited.
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Protest 200th Execution Under Current Texas Governor Rick Perry
Visit http://www.protest200executions.com. On June 2, 2009, the 200th execution under Texas Governor Rick Perry is scheduled to take place. Since he became governor of Texas in December 2000, Perry has signed more execution orders than any other governor in U.S. history. Terry Hankins is scheduled to be the 200th person executed under Rick Perry. If he or anyone scheduled before him receives a stay of execution, then the 200th person will be the next person on the list. We hope everyone receives a stay! The Texas anti-death penalty community asks people around the world to focus your attention on Texas and join us in protesting the 200th execution carried out under Rick Perry. Altogether, Texas has executed 436 people since 1982, including 152 under former Texas Governor George W. Bush. How you can protest the 200th execution under Texas Governor Rick Perry Visit http://www.protest200executions.com for updates. 1) On the day of the 200th execution, call Governor Perry at 512-462-1782 and tell him your opinion on the death penalty. If you live in the U.S., you can use his the form on his website to email him. We suggest you both call him and email him. If you live outside the U.S., you can fax him at (512) 463-1849 or send him a letter in the postal mail. We would like to hand deliver letters to him, so please send your letter to the address below and we will deliver it to Rick Perry: You can send us your letter to Perry for us to deliver whether you live in the U.S. or another country. Texas Moratorium Network 3616 Far West Blvd, Suite 117, Box 251 Austin, Texas 7831 2) Attend a protest in your city either on the day of the 200th execution or sometime before. There are protests already planned. If a protest is not scheduled yet in your city, you can organize a protest. If you live outside the U.S., organize a protest at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Send us a photo or video of your protest by email and we will post it on this website and on YouTube. Or you can upload your photos and videos yourself to our social networking site or directly to our group on YouTube. If your organization is planning a protest, please let us know so that we can list your protest on this site. 3) Sign the petition and add your name to the list of people who are raising their voices to protest the 200th execution under Texas Governor Rick Perry. 4) Donate a symbolic 200 cents towards helping us organize against the Texas death penalty. That is one penny for every execution under Rick Perry. We are asking everyone to donate $2, which is the equivalent of 200 pennies. You are welcome to donate more if you can afford it, but everyone can afford to donate $2. The artwork at the top of www.protest200executions.com is by German artist Jasmin Hilmer and represents the isolation of Texas in the world community. While most of the rest of the world, including all of Europe, have turned their backs on the use of capital punishment, Texas continues to execute people at a shocking rate. This campaign is sponsored by Texas Moratorium Network, Texas Death Penalty Abolition Movement, Campaign to End the Death Penalty - Austin, Students Against the Death Penalty, Texas Death Penalty Education and Resource Center, Abolish the Death Penalty Project on Amazee. If your organization would also like to be a sponsor, email us at admin@texasmoratorium.org or call 512-961-6389.
Upcoming Scheduled Executions in Texas
To protest these executions, call Governor Perry (512) 463-1782 or email Perry at http://www.governor.state.tx.us/contact Scheduled Executions in Texas Michael Sigala March 2 Joshua Maxwell March 11 Hank Skinner March 24 (Strong Innocence Claim) Website for Hank Skinner http://hankskinner.org Alix Franklin March 30 Samuel Bustamante April 20 William Berkley April 22 John Alba May 25 Johathan Green June 30 Michael Perry July 1
Links to Stop Executions
* Texas Moratorium Network * Justice for All?: Artists Reflect on the Death Penalty * Texas Death Penalty Education and Resource Center * Texas Students Against the Death Penalty * Students Against the Death Penalty * Anti-Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break * Save Jeff Wood * Kids Against the Death Penalty * Campaign to End the Death Penalty * Hands Off Cain * Murder Victims' Families for Human Rights * Journey of Hope ...From Violence to Healing * Sister Helen Prejean * World Coalition Against the Death Penalty * Death Penalty Information Center * Amnesty International * Lifespark a Swiss organization founded in 1993. * Canadian Coalition Against the Death Penalty * ALIVE - Koalition gegen die Todesstrafe e.V. * Initiative gegen die Todesstrafe/German Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (GCADP) * Abolition U.K
Don't Forget to Upload a Profile Picture
Please upload a profile picture or avatar. Click on "Personal" above on the right, then under the Profile tab, click "My Profile/Password". The picture upload button is near the bottom, click "browse" to choose a picture from your computer, then hit "save".
Death Penalty News
Va. Man to be Executed Th ...
03/14/2010 10:31pm
If not for a four-page letter scribbled with hatred and ridicule, Paul Warner Powell likely would have served a life sentence in prison.
26/11 Amounted to Waging ...
03/14/2010 06:08pm
The acts of Ajmal Kasab and other accused in the 26/11 terror siege amounted to "waging war against India" which is punishable by death penalty or life imprisonment, the prosecution argued in a trial court today.
Taiwan -- No death order: ...
03/14/2010 01:41pm
Justice Minister Wang Ching-feng yesterday said she would rather a oego to hella than to execute death sentences during her term, attracting criticism from legislators that she was not acting in accordance with Taiwan law, which allows death penalties.
Judge wants quick decisio ...
03/14/2010 09:26am
A Franklin County judge is urging prosecutors of the German grandmother accused of drowning her grandson in a St.
Lawyer says his client st ...
03/14/2010 04:59am
The lawyer for a man accused of stabbing a 67-year-old woman to death during her morning walk sought to win leniency for his client this afternoon by acknowledging the man's guilt.
More News
Iran: Life of Juvenile Of ...
03/14/2010 09:51pm
Juvenile offender Ahmad Bahari [who was on death row] had his life spared. He was released from prison today.By: Mohammad MostafaeiAt the age of 15, Ahmad Bahari was charged with first-degree murder for the death of Abolfazl Ramazani. Since November 13, 2006, Ahmad Bahari was detained in prison. My client’s family and others sought to obtain a pardon for the life of Ahmad Bahari. Finally, the victim’s family, Morteza Ramazani and Fatemeh Koorgoli, forgave Ahmad Bahari and ultimately saved him from execution [editor's note: the term used in the Farsi text is retribution, which is the Islamic regime's word for execution]. With the decision of the judges in branch 71 of the provincial criminal court, Ahmad Bahari was released.After his arrest on November 13, 2006, my client stated: “I was sitting at home when Saeed, the slain victim, came to my home with the hopes of starting a conflict. He attacked me with a long knife and wounded my left hand and I fell to the floor. After a second strike, this time to my back, I defended myself by stabbing Saeed in the chest with a knife. He fell to the floor.”Ahmad Bahari has claimed self defense throughout the [legal] process.Three of the judges in branch 71 of the provincial criminal court issued an execution sentence for Bahari and two other judges considered Bahari’s crime an act of self defense. Finally, branch 11 of Iran’s Supreme Court, taking into consideration the defense and the contents of my client’s file issued by the provincial criminal court, confirmed the final judgment.Again, I would like to thank everyone, especially the victim’s family, who made the pardon possible.Source: Persian2English, Translation by: Maryam | Persian2English.com, March 14, 2010It's not about what they did. It's about what we do.
Hank Skinner's Attorneys ...
03/13/2010 11:34am
Attorneys for Texas death row prisoner Henry “Hank” Skinner have written to Governor Rick Perry requesting a 30-day reprieve from his scheduled execution date of March 24, and DNA testing which Skinner and his attorneys say will prove that he is not guilty of murdering his girlfriend and her two sons in 1993. Although DNA evidence was collected at the murder site, Texas for years rejected requests to have it tested.Excerpt:3. There Is DNA Evidence That, If Tested, Could Establish Mr. Skinner's Innocence.As the foregoing review of the evidence shows, Mr. Skinner is not the person who should have been convicted of the murders of Twila Busby and her sons. Equally disturbing, however, there is DNA evidence in this case that has never been tested. That evidence, if tested, could—and Mr. Skinner adamantly maintains, would—establish his innocence.To date, Mr. Skinner has asked for DNA testing of seven items: (1) vaginal swabs taken from Twila Busby at the time of her autopsy; (2) Twila Busby's fingernail clippings; (3) a knife found on the front porch of the Busby house; (4) a knife found in a plastic bag in the living room of that house; (5) a dishtowel also found in that bag; (6) a windbreaker jacket found in the living room next to Ms. Busby's body; and (7) any hairs found in Ms. Busby's hands that have not been destroyed by previous testing. According to the State, all these items still exist; they are in a condition that would permit forensic DNA testing to be performed; and an appropriate chain of custody has been maintained to safeguard their integrity. Below, we explain why DNA testing of these items very likely will produce relevant results that resolve the question whether Mr. Skinner is innocent or guilty.Testing the vaginal swabs could yield important results because when Ms. Busby’s body was found, her shirt was pulled up and her pants unzipped. (Tr. 24:229.) The medical examiner found erythema, or reddening of the skin, around her vaginal area, indicating recent sexual activity. (Tr. 28:1206.) The identity of the person with whom she had sex shortly before her murder could shed important light on who attacked her. The failure of the State to test these swabs is inexplicable.The same is true of Ms. Busby's fingernail clippings. It is reasonable to believe, based on the nature of her injuries, that Ms. Busby struggled with her attacker. That being the case, it is highly likely that her fingernail clippings could yield the presence of the assailant’s DNA.Similarly, the medical examiner acknowledged that the hairs found in Ms. Busby’s right hand could have come from her murderer. (Tr. 28:1216.)The knives, either of which could have been used to kill Ms. Busby's two sons, could likewise yield the DNA of the person who used them. In addition, the absence of Mr. Skinner's blood on those knives would disprove the prosecution's theory that the profusely bleeding cut in the palm of Mr. Skinner's hand was self-inflicted when the knife he used to kill Randy Busby first struck Busby's shoulder blade, causing Mr. Skinner's hand to slide down the blade. (See Tr. 28:1203.) Eliminating that inference would prove that Mr. Skinner’s injury was a defensive wound, consistent with his claim of innocence.The bloody dish towel could have been used by the killer to wipe blood from his hands. Finally, the ownership and presence of the windbreaker jacket found next to Ms. Busby's body has never been explained. It is similar to one that Debra Ellis testified she often saw Donnell wearing, (R. I:30), it was Donnell's size, and it contained hairs and sweat stains that, if tested, could identify its owner.Thus, exonerating test results on all or a combination of these items could prove Mr. Skinner's innocence. For example, if the jacket turns out to be Donnell's and his DNA is found under Twila Busby's fingernails, that alone would establish beyond a reasonable doubt that Donnell, not Mr. Skinner, was the murderer. The presence of Donnell's DNA on other objects, such as the knives or the cup towel, would only add further confirmation to that conclusion. Even if Donnell’s DNA is not found, if the same DNA profile is found on more than one item from the crime scene (if a single DNA profile is found say, both on the weapons and under Ms. Busby’s fingernails), and that profile does not belong to Mr. Skinner, that result would effectively prove Mr. Skinner’s innocence. Thus, there are several different ways in which the results of DNA testing on these never-tested itemsof evidence could conclusively prove Mr. Skinner’s longstanding claim of actual innocence.Mr. Skinner’s case has understandably attracted a great deal of public attention in recent weeks. While Texans undoubtedly support capital punishment, they insist that it be reserved for those who are clearly guilty.- You can read the letter in its entirety on our “In The News” blog by clicking here.- You can also find out how to take action to stop the Skinner execution by clicking here.Source: National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, March 12, 2010It's not about what they did. It's about what we do.
Man hanged in public in A ...
03/13/2010 11:27am
One man was publicly hanged in Ahvaz, and two other individuals are scheduled for execution in upcoming days.HRANA - On Wednesday March 10, 2010, on person was publicly hanged in Ahvaz.According to state run Iranian Labor News Agency (ILNA), a person identified as “S.M.” was convicted of drug trafficking.ILNA also reports that on Saturday March 13th, an individual convicted of Moharebeh (enmity against God) is scheduled for public execution in Solman Farsi Square. The following day on March 14th, another individual charged with drug trafficking is scheduled for execution in Ahvaz.Source: Persian2English.com, March 12, 2010It's not about what they did. It's about what we do.
Egypt: Atef Rohyum Abd El ...
03/13/2010 11:21am
Amnesty International has just learned that Atef Rohyum Abd El Al Rohyum was executed by hanging on 11 March. His family was not informed of his execution until they were asked to pick up the body.In Egypt, executions are not made public until after they have been carried out. Condemned prisoners are not told the date and time of their execution, and in practice their families are not made aware of the execution until they are called to collect the body – despite claims by the Egyptian authorities that relatives are permitted to visit the condemned person on the day appointed for execution.Atef Rohyum Abd El Al Rohyum was executed despite evidence suggesting he was not guilty of the murder for which he was condemned. His family was not made aware that his appeal, filed with the Public Prosecutor in May 2009, had failed, despite a formal request made this Tuesday for information on its status.Source: Amnesty International, March 13, 2010It's not about what they did. It's about what we do.
Taiwan justice minister r ...
03/12/2010 01:38pm
Ms Wang (left) said she would not authorise any executions.Taiwan's justice minister has resigned after failing to win support for her opposition to the death penalty.Wang Ching-feng had said she would not give the go-ahead for any executions.She added she would gladly die instead of any of the 44 inmates on death row, if only they got a chance to rehabilitate themselves.Ms Wang's comments were criticised by President Ma Ying-jeou, by her own Kuomintang party and by victims of violent crime.An opinion poll compiled after her remarks suggested three-quarters of the Taiwanese public supported capital punishment.Unpopular positionTaiwan has practised a four-year de facto moratorium on executions.But efforts to convert that into a formal end to any capital punishment were too challenging, as the justice minister discovered."I would rather step down than sign any death warrant," she said."If these convicts can have an opportunity to rehabilitate themselves, I would be very happy to be executed or even go to hell in their stead."Her statement sparked passionate criticism, and a presidential spokesman said death sentences had to be "carried out according to the law'."Any stay of execution has to have compelling legal reasons to be granted," spokesman Lo Chih-chiang said.Taiwanese actress Pai Ping-ping, whose daughter was murdered by kidnappers in 1997, was also upset."Ms Wang has deeply hurt Taiwanese people's feelings. She is rubbing salt into our wounds by promoting her own beliefs," the Associated Press quoted the actress as saying.The last executions in Taiwan were of two people in 2005. A total of 49 people died between 2000 and 2005.Source: BBC News, March 12, 2010It's not about what they did. It's about what we do.
Death Penalty News from TMN
Daily Guest Blogging for ...
03/14/2010 07:29am
James Tate, who is attending the 2010 Anti-Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break, will be guest blogging daily for the Dallas Morning News' Texas Death Penalty blog during the alternative spring break.James is a student at The University of Texas at Dallas. Join us March 15-19, 2010 in Austin, Texas for the award-winning Anti-Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break. It starts at 4:30 PM on Monday, March 15. The location is the Jesse H. Jones Communication Center - CMA room 3.112 on the campus of The University of Texas at Austin. CMA is on the corner of Whitis Avenue and Dean Keeton, (Google Map). The room is located on the entrance level of the building.Special guests will be six innocent death row exoneress: Shujaa Graham, Curtis McCarty, Ron Keine, Derrick Jamison, Perry Cobb and Juan Melendez. They are attending alternative spring break to speak with participants about how innocent people can end up on death row. Altogether, the six exonerees attending the alternative spring break spent a total of about 65 years on death row for crimes they did not commit.It's free, except for a $25 housing fee for those who need us to arrange housing for you. We will house you in a shared room with other spring breakers in either a hotel or dorm. You are responsible for your travel, food and other expenses, but the program and most of the housing costs are on us. The $25 housing fee is all you pay. Register here.Alternative Spring Breaks are designed to give college and high school students something more meaningful to do during their week off, rather than just spending time at the beach or sitting at home catching up on school work. The specific purpose of the Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break is to bring students together for five days of anti-death penalty activism, education and fun. This is the place to be if you want to become a part of the next generation of human rights leaders. Go to the beach to change your state of mind for a week, come here to change the world foreverWe will provide participants with workshops led by experienced, knowledgeable presenters who will teach them skills that they can use to go back home and set up new anti-death penalty student organizations or improve ones that may already exist. The skills participants will learn can also be used in other issues besides the death penalty. Students will gain valuable training and experience in grassroots organizing, lobbying, preparing a public rally and media relations. During the week, students will immediately put what they learn into action during activities such as a Death Penalty Issues Lobby Day and a public rally at the Texas Capitol. There will be opportunities to write press releases, speak in public, meet with legislators or their aides, and carry out a public rally.
"An Inspiration and Ray o ...
03/12/2010 10:09am
Juan Melendez, an innocent man who spent 17 years, eight months and one day on death row in Florida will be one of the speakers at the Anti-Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break. Juan is attending as a member of Witness to Innocence. Juan will join exonerees Shujaa Graham, Curtis McCarty, Ron Keine, Derrick Jamison and Perry Cobb at alternative spring break to speak with participants about how innocent people can end up on death row. To register, visit www.springbreakalternative.org/deathpenalty. The four-day program is free and open to everyone.To give you a sense of the power of Mr. Melendez's story, you will find below: (1) information about the documentary "Juan Melendez 6446," including a link to the trailer of the documentary; (2) background information about Mr. Melendez's case; (3) feedback from audience members; (4) link to WLKY (Louisville, Kentucky) T.V. news story covering Mr. Melendez's talk at Central High School, Louisville, Kentucky; and (5) a link to an article published at Wakefield High School regarding Mr. Melendez's talk at the school. 1. Documentary "Juan Melendez 6446""Juan Melendez 6446," is a beautifully artistic and compelling documentary that depicts the story of JuanMelendez and highlights the tremendous damage that the death penalty inflicts on so many people involved in the system. Mr. Melendez's mother, Dona Andrea Colon, plays a central role in the documentary. As a woman of unwavering faith and devoted mother, she silently lived with the shame of having a son on death row and faithfully prayed three rosaries everyday, praying for a miracle that would prove her son's innocence. Also included in the documentary is a brief but deeply moving discussion by Mr. Melendez's appellate counsel of the cases of Leo Jones and Frank Lee Smith, both of whom were African-American and good friends of Mr. Melendez on death row. Leo was executed in spite of his innocence and Frank died of cancer before DNA testing proved that he did not commit the crime for which he was sentenced to death.Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico watched the documentary shortly before he abolished the death penalty in New Mexico in March 2009. He has since told Mr. Melendez that he was deeply impacted by the documentary. Sister Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking, attended the U.S. premiere of the documentary. She described it as a "powerful" film that is "heartbreaking and maddening and . . . stirs the soul." The documentary has been screened at six international film festivals in New York, Montreal (Canada), Glasgow (Scotland), Madrid (Spain), San Juan (Puerto Rico), and most recently in La Habana (Cuba). Here is a link to the short trailer (1.5 minutes) of the documentary: http://nylatino.bside.com/2009/films/juanmelendez6446_nylatino20092. Background Juan Roberto Melendez spent seventeen years, eight months and one day on Florida’s death row for a crime he did not commit. Upon his release on January 3, 2002, he became the 99th death row prisoner in the United States to be released with evidence of innocence since 1973. At the moment, the number stands at 139 and a significant majority are either Latino or African-American. Although Mr. Melendez's story is unique, the circumstance of being innocent and on death row is shamefully anything but unique.Mr. Melendez's story highlights the myriad of problems that plague the death penalty system, in particular its high risk and inevitability of being imposed on the innocent, its unfair and unequal application on the basis of race and ethnicity and its almost exclusive imposition on our most defenseless and vulnerable members of society--the poor. Although his case was riddled with doubt, and there was not one single shred of physical evidence against him, he was convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of Delbert Baker (a white man) within a week by a "death-qualified" jury. These “death-qualified” jurors presumed Mr. Melendez's guilt right from the start. They rejected his airtight alibi witness and other witnesses (all of whom were African-American) and instead chose to believe the highly questionable testimony of the government's two critical witnesses. Had it not been for the extremely fortunate discovery of a taped confession of the real killer sixteen years after Mr. Melendez had been sentenced to death, he almost certainly would have been executed. At the time the taped confession was discovered, the Supreme Court of Florida had already upheld his conviction and death sentence three times on appeal. Beyond the death penalty, Mr. Melendez's story is a remarkable story of survival, faith and hope that resonates with people all across the political spectrum. 3. Feedback from Audience Members"Prior to hearing Mr. Melendez's speech, I was pro-death penalty. Now I will fight to abolish it!!"-Norma Francisco, Ph.D.., member of the Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples, San Francisco (August 13, 2006)"He (Juan Melendez) is the best argument against the death penalty that anyone could ever hear."- Journalism student, University of New Mexico"I have not attended a better speech in all my ten plus years in the clinics! Or has one affected me so much as his speech! One student who has always been for the death penalty changed his views that day . . . He was awesome."- Linda Herrera, Director of Legal Clinics at Southern Methodist University School of Law"Your story is one that needs to be heard by everyone and your message of hope is truly an inspiration."-Dr. Judy Hendry, communications and journalism professor, University of New Mexico"Juan is a living testament to the injustice of capital punishment and his talk is infinitely more effective than anything I could teach my students."-Law professor Marjorie Cohn, Thomas Jefferson School of Law"He is a brilliant speaker and a brilliant story teller . .. . It is so important that he share his story with the public because [he] is a prime example of how one man's personal story can do more to inform people about the death penalty than all of the cases, newspapers and political rallies combined."-Morgan Anderson, law student University of San Francisco School of Law“Phenomenal!”-Audience member, Catholic Religious Education Congress, Anaheim, California, March 2007"Mr. Melendez is an inspiration and ray of hope for anyone who has ever felt hopeless in their situation"-Teacher, Stronghurst Alternative High School, Albuquerque, New Mexico"He (Juan Melendez) is a perfect example of hope and survival."-Youth in detention, Las Vegas, Nevada"One of the most powerful and moving events we have had here-not just the extraordinary story he had to tell, but the grace and skill with which he told it."-Simon Keyes, Director of St. Ethelburga's Ctr. for Peace and Reconciliation, London, England4. Link to WLKY (Louisville, Kentucky) T.V. news segment featuring Mr. Melendez's storyhttp://www.wlky.com/news/22239178/detail.html5. Amnesty speaker educates, inspires File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - link will open in a new window"> View as HTMLFormer death row inmate Juan Melendez speaks to a group of high school ..... wakefieldhs.net/howler/pdf/2006-2007/december.pdf - external link will open in a new window">SimilarFor more detailed information regarding Mr. Melendez's case, please see his published article in the Texas Tech Law Review at: 41 Texas Tech Law Review 1 (Fall, 2008), Presumed Guilty: a Death Row Exoneree Shares his Story of Supreme Injustice and Reflections on the Death Penalty (article can be accessed through westlaw). Below is a letter of reference for Mr. Melendez from a former career prosecutor. From: Gutmann, Joe PSent: Thu 1/28/2010 2:01 PMTo: Edwards, KerrySubject: RE: Juan MelendezProfessor Edwards, I met Juan Melendez 2 weeks ago. Prior to meeting Juan, I researched his case online. Juan Melendez is a remarkable man! His compassion, forgiveness and positive view of life speak volumes of his character. The National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty held it's annual convention in Louisville. I am a retired prosecutor (Commonwealth of Kentucky Commonwealth Attorney's Office) of 20 years and teach undergraduate law classes at The University of Louisville and head the Law & Government Magnet Program at Central High School. I received notice that Juan was going to be in town for the convention and was willing to speak to groups during his stay. Unsure of what Juan's demeanor and presentation would be like I asked him to speak at the law school before; I would consider having him talk to high school students. On January 14th he spoke to about 100 law students at The University of Louisville, Louis D. Brandeis School of Law and was amazing. I have attended many impressive lectures in my day, Juan was incredible and made an impression that I will never forget. I am proud to call him a friend. He spoke at Central High School to 100, sophomore-senior law magnet students. The response from my students was amazing. Two weeks later, they are still talking about him, the death penalty andAmerican justice.. . .Thanks, Joe Gutmann
Texas Executed Today its ...
03/12/2010 02:44am
Texas today executed its 451st person since 1982 and the 212th person since Governor Rick Perry took office in 2000.From the Houston Chronicle:An Indiana man whose cross-country crime spree with his girlfriend a decade ago ended in a gun battle with police in San Francisco was executed Thursday for robbing and murdering a sheriff's officer in San Antonio.No late court appeals were filed for Joshua Maxwell, 31, condemned for gunning down Bexar County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Rudy Lopes and stealing his truck in 2000. The 45-year-old veteran jailer was off duty at the time.The U.S. Supreme Court last week refused to review Maxwell's case. Maxwell also was convicted of killing a man in Indiana.Maxwell, his voice breaking and choking back tears, apologized repeatedly in the seconds before lethal drugs began flowing into his arms."The person that did that 10 years ago isn't the same person you see today," he said. "I hurt a lot of people with decisions I made. I can't be more sorry than I am right now."Nine minutes later, at 6:27 p.m. CST, he was pronounced dead, making him the fourth inmate executed this year in the nation's busiest capital punishment state.Maxwell was the fourth Texas inmate executed this year. He was among at least 10 Texas death row inmates with execution dates in the coming months, including two more later this month.Attend the Anti-Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break in Austin March 15-19, 2010.Join us March 15-19, 2010 in Austin, Texas for the award-winning Anti-Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break.Special guests will be six innocent death row exoneress: Shujaa Graham, Curtis McCarty, Ron Keine, Derrick Jamison, Perry Cobb and Juan Melendez. They are attending alternative spring break to speak with participants about how innocent people can end up on death row. Altogether, the six exonerees attending the alternative spring break spent a total of about 65 years on death row for crimes they did not commit.It's free, except for a $25 housing fee for those who need us to arrange housing for you. We will house you in a shared room with other spring breakers in either a hotel or dorm. You are responsible for your travel, food and other expenses, but the program and most of the housing costs are on us. The $25 housing fee is all you pay. Register here.
Austin Chronicle Recommen ...
03/11/2010 08:13am
ANTI-DEATH PENALTY ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK Open to students and nonstudents alike, this weeklong program shows you what it takes to be an activist. You'll attend workshops, write press releases, speak in public, and more, as well as meet former prisoners who spent time on death row, family members of murder victims, and many others. Register online. Mon.-Fri., March 15-19. UT campus, 210/601-7231. Free.www.springbreakalternative.org (Events)
Death Row Exoneree Curtis ...
03/11/2010 08:06am
Curtis McCarty, an innocent man who spent 19 years on death row in Oklahoma will be one of the speakers at the Anti-Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break March 15-19 in Austin, Texas. Curtis is attending as a member of Witness to Innocence. He will join exonerees Shujaa Graham, Curtis McCarty, Ron Keine, Derrick Jamison, Juan Melendez and Perry Cobb at the alternative spring break to speak with participants about how innocent people can end up on death row.Join us March 15-19, 2010 in Austin, Texas for the award-winning Anti-Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break. It starts at 4:30 PM on Monday, March 15. The location is the Jesse H. Jones Communication Center - CMA room 3.112 on the campus of The University of Texas at Austin. CMA is on the corner of Whitis Avenue and Dean Keeton, (Google Map). The room is located on the entrance level of the building.It's free, except for a $25 housing fee for those who need us to arrange housing for you. We will house you in a shared room with other spring breakers in either a hotel or dorm. You are responsible for your travel, food and other expenses, but the program and most of the housing costs are on us. The $25 housing fee is all you pay. Register here.It is designed for high school and college students to learn and train to be leaders of the next generation of anti-death penalty activists, but it is also for all those who consider themselves students of the world, community, peace and justice. Please look at the schedule and consider attending. All events are open to the public.Juries frequently rely on the testimony of forensic evidence experts to reach just conclusions in criminal trials. What happens when an expert lies in order to win a conviction?When 18-year-old Pamela Kaye Willis was raped, stabbed, and strangled in her Oklahoma City home on December 10, 1982, Curtis McCarty became a suspect because he was acquainted with her. Soon after the murder in 1983, forensic analyst Joyce Gilchrist examined hairs from the crime scene and found they didnot match McCarty’s. Police interviewed McCarty several times over the next three years, but he was not arrested until 1985. During the three years of police questioning, Gilchrist secretly altered her notes to declare that the crime scene hairs could have been McCarty’s. Attorneys for McCarty did not discover the change in Gilchrist’s notes until 2000, when she underwent investigation for fraud in other cases. When the defense requested retesting of the hairs, the evidence had either been lost or destroyed deliberately. Gilchrist, implicated in two other cases that sent innocent men to death row, was later fired from her job with the Oklahoma City police department.Curtis McCarty was sentenced to die three times and spent 21 years in prison – 19 on Oklahoma’s death row – for a crime he did not commit before DNA evidence led to his exoneration and release in May 2007.Curtis McCarty is attending Alternative Spring Break with the help of Journey of Hope...From Violence to Healing and Witness to Innocence.
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