Virginia Murder Victim Family Members Call for Death Penalty Abolition
A Sign-on Letter
May 1, 2020
Each of us has lost a family member to homicide. At a moment none of us could have
predicted or prepared for, tragedy robbed from us children, parents, spouses, brothers and
sisters, and other family members.
Our direct experiences with the criminal justice system and struggling with grief have led
us all to the same conclusion: Virginia’s death penalty fails victims’ families.
We never asked to be in this position and would do anything to change it. We realize,
however, that nothing can erase the pain that a senseless act of violence brought into our
lives. But we can honor the memory of our loved ones and other families who may face
tragedy by working for effective responses to violence.
Our Commonwealth has an inefficient and ineffective death penalty system. Criminal
justice funding for expensive capital murder trials could be better spent on much needed
and currently underfunded support programs that help victims’ families with funeral
costs, counseling and other services.
Capital cases take many years to reach completion, forcing our families to deal with
mandatory court appeals and the legal system much longer than with a non-capital trial or
a plea bargain. The media replays the details of the crime each time. The defendant is
turned into a celebrity while the victim’s family is traumatized again and again.
The death penalty is said to be reserved for “particularly heinous murders.” We have
difficulty understanding this position. The implication is that other murders are
“ordinary.” From experience we can tell you that, to victims’ families, every murder is
heinous.
Seeking the death penalty in capital murder cases is inefficient, ineffective, and traumatic
for many families like ours.
We call on the Virginia General Assembly to abolish the death penalty and replace it with
life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Virginia Murder Victim Family Members Call for Death Penalty Abolition
A Sign-on Letter
May 1, 2020
l agree with this statement and am willing to be publicly identified as a supporter.
Name (print):
Town/City: State:
Name of loved one(s):
My relationships to loved one(s):
Location of death: Date of death:
Signature:
Date signed:
Please return this signed & completed form via e-mail or postal mail to:
VADP
P.O. Box 12222
Richmond, VA 23241
office @ vadp.org
