Illinois governor to empty death row

USA Today ^ | 01/07/03 | Richard Willing

[PowerTee]

NEW YORK -- Robert Blecker sat quietly as other professors ticked off their reasons for opposing the death penalty: It's unfair to blacks. It doesn't really deter crime. Innocent people could be executed.

But Blecker, a professor at New York Law School, was having none of it. When it was his turn to speak at the recent death-penalty forum at John Jay College, he summed up his support for executions in three words: ''Barbara Jo Brown.''

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[Tacis]

Jury nullification to the extreme. Every one of these killers was convicted by a jury that tortured over its decision. This crooked politician has just pissed on these people and the families of the victims, just so he can feel good about himself.

[E=MC²]

Let's hope that at least one of those pardoned and freed moves in next door to george ryan.

[kwick64]

So the crook granted clemency to the crooks? This guy is a disgrace to the Republican party. He kind of reminds of Clinton with his last minute pardons!

[INSENSITIVE GUY]

DOES HE HAVE THE NERVE TO EMPTY THE"DEATH ROW"STANDING IN LINE OUTSIDE THE ABORTION CLINICS???

[raisincane]

This news made front page headlines in our local newspaper, pictures and all. Scary looking pictures, too. And, scary that these criminals have beat the system, big time, thanks to Ryan. Hope one of them marries a close relative of Ryan.

[Bryan]

Ping.

[JCG]

To McAdams, the debate over deterrence is unnecessary. ''If you execute a murderer and it stops other murders, you've saved innocent lives,'' he says.

Thomas Silverstein, while serving a life sentence, has murdered a correctional officer and three other inmates. Clay Fountain murdered his Marine sergeant, got life, and since has also murdered a correctional officer and three fellow inmates.

Executions benefit all of us.

More about Silverstein and Fountain

America's Fifth Column ... watch Steve Emerson/PBS documentary JIHAD! In America
New Link: Download 8 Mb zip file here (60 minute video)

Who is Steve Emerson?

[virgil]

Its been all over the news today. This is something I agree with Blago, about blanket decisions. Ryan should be charged with accessory to vehicular homicide if there is such a charge. He is about to be indicted himself and CNN is making him out to be some kind of saint. At one point they even indicated at the bottom of the screen that Ryan is a democrat. I thought that was damn funny. Its what we've all suspected anyway.

[Bryan]

I am a paralegal who served as a staff member for the Death Penalty Commission here in Illinois. We worked long and hard to ensure that in the future, death penalty cases will be handled with all the precision and skill they require.

When Ryan imposed his moratorium on the death penalty, 12 Death Row inmates had been executed in the years since the death penalty was reinstated in 1973. But 13 had been set free by the appellate courts or had their sentences reduced to life in prison.

This is an accuracy rate of 48%. It would be unacceptable in traffic court. In death penalty cases, it was nothing less than an abomination.

We had cases in which defense counsel was laughably incompetent, including one who actually fell asleep during the trial. We had cases in which prosecutors and police were actually using the death penalty system to frame and murder an innocent man named Rolando Cruz.

I strongly believe in the death penalty, but it must be administered fairly, with competence and precision. We must never allow the Rolando Cruz case to be repeated. Nor can we ever allow an innocent man to be executed.

Ryan's decision here goes much too far, however. He is just another corrupt politician, like Bill Clinton, trying to make a name for himself and leave a lasting legacy in his final days in office.

[swheats]

This was a very difficult decision to make, considering the ramifications, but in light of this governor being held accountable for what was reveal to him, he had no other choice.

He made very valid points. Especially considering the victims' assistance. i.e. victims going without any recourse on hospital and recovery assistance, while the criminal needs are met.

I believe he showed the backbone that republicans have stood for and profess. Do the right thing even if it's detrimental to you. Those criminals that now have life in prison instead of death are still held accountable for their crime.

[latrans]

The last thing this diseased pig is is Hasserts boy.

[dennisw]

Executions benefit all of us.\

Death penalty brings closure to the victim's family. It's a good thing and a sane society executes those who murder. Gets rid of those who don't respect human life.

[D. Miles]

Then there are those that are guilty,plea bargin, gain parole and WILL kill again. This is all a no win situation!

[JCG]

I strongly believe in the death penalty, but it must be administered fairly, with competence and precision. We must never allow the Rolando Cruz case to be repeated. Nor can we ever allow an innocent man to be executed.

Each case needs to stand or fall on its own merits. We need to get out of the business of executing only murderers and start executing criminals. That way an innocent man doesn't get executed.

America's Fifth Column ... watch Steve Emerson/PBS documentary JIHAD! In America
New Link: Download 8 Mb zip file here (60 minute video)

Who is Steve Emerson?

[Theyknow]

Hey, they all had trials. If one or two guilty guys get fried, let God sort it out. Honestly, how many people who are arrested are innocent? Damn few.

[aruanan]

This is an accuracy rate of 48%. It would be unacceptable in traffic court. In death penalty cases, it was nothing less than an abomination.

Yes, Ryan seems to be saying, "You may be innocent, so I'm going to make sure you spend the rest of your life in prison instead of killing you right now." But that's not what he's saying. What he's actually saying is, "I want a Nobel Peace Prize desperately."