Our Work Continues
Dear Abolition Champion,
VADP saw some significant victories and many
notable challenges throughout 2017 as we work
towards abolition in Virginia.
Another year passed with no new death sentences
imposed by Virginia juries. It is now over six
years since anyone was sentenced to death here!
Across the nation, only 39 death sentences were
handed down in 2017, the second lowest annual
total since the U.S. Supreme
Court declared the death pen-
alty unconstitutional in 1972.
It was the seventh year in a
row that fewer than 100 death
sentences were imposed.
In 2017 Virginia executed two
people, one of eight states to
carry out an execution. The
national total of 23 executions
is half the number carried out seven years ago, and
the second lowest total since 1991. Only the 20
executions in 2016 were lower.
While we were saddened by these two executions,
clemency was granted to two others, leaving
Virginia with just three souls on death row.
I want to thank our capital defense attorneys for
their crucial work. They are true warriors for an
improved criminal justice system.
In Virginia, we continue working towards our goal
of becoming the first Southern state to abolish the
death penalty. We currently are focusing our
efforts on legislation to ban the use of the death
penalty on individuals with severe mental illness.
This proposal lost in the 2017 Virginia General
Assembly session by a slim margin in committee.
During the legislative off-season, we targeted key
legislative districts as our new Field Director has
worked tirelessly to build support for our cause in
those areas of the Commonwealth.
A profound wave of change marked the November
2017 state elections. Its impact on abolition efforts
remains to be seen, but we are hopeful.
As an organization, VADP’s 2017 was marked by
a significant increase in donor support and by our
most successful annual awards luncheon ever. We
had a larger, younger and more diverse group of
people attending and celebrating our work.
VADP thrives due to your support. You can send
a check in the mail or donate by phone or online.
We now are able to accept stock contributions.
You can also memorialize a friend or loved one or
remember VADP in your estate planning.
VADP is a small organization with a mighty
impact. Your generous support enables us to grow
and reach our goal of death penalty abolition.
Please accept our gratitude for your involvement
and support.
Sincerely,
Virginia Podboy, VADP Board President
Members of St. James Episcopal Church
in Richmond at a VADP education event.
VADP 2017 Annual
