KCADP
Kentucky Coalition To Abolish The Death Penalty
NEWSLETTER NO. 10
July 1989
Killing Fields Revisited
hree Supreme Court decisions should make reasonable people question what kind of
nation they live in. The Court now approves the execution of teenagers and
individuals with the mental capacity of children; and declares that the poor may be
put to death without exhaustive attention to their appeals. No wonder Amnesty
International has targeted the United States, along with China, Nigeria, South Africa, and
Tran, in its campaign to abolish the death penalty.
Ignoring the fact that 13 states and the District of Columbia bar the death penalty
altogether, and that 15 additional states bar it for persons who are under 18 and commit
a capital crime, the Court maintains that a “national consensus” against executing juveniles
does not exist. In its 5-to-4 decision, the Justices also disregarded public opinion polls
conducted in several states indicating that the majority of citizens in Georgia, Oklahoma,
Florida, New York and elsewhere oppose executing juvenile killers.
Mentally retarded citizens fared no better. Although the Court said that a jury must
consider mental capacity, the Court, again in a 5-to-4 decision, refused to bar execution of
the retarded. Here, too, the majority used the “national consensus” standard.
In yet another decision, the Court decreed that nothing in the Constitution requires
states to provide legal counsel for indigent death row inmates beyond the first direct appeal
in state court. Poor inmates must now rely on their own non-existent legal skills or hope
some volunteer attorney takes up their cases.
‘The Struggle Continues
Though the killing goes on and the Court seems determined to approve new procedures
by which more people may be executed, abolitionists have no reason to give up and,
obviously, several reasons to escalate efforts to educate the public.
In Kentucky over 1,000,000 citizens oppose the death penalty. They need to be
identified and challenged to inform their friends, neighbors and legislators of their
opposition. Ironically, the Supreme Court rulings pushed some into calling the office and
offering .2 help. Membership increases almost daily, along with offers to help in many
other ways.
NCADP’s Midwest Conference, held in Louisville in June, was well attended by
Kentuckians and the various workshops that described the nuts and bolts of organizing
around death penalty issues - the sacredness of human life, innocence, race, inadequate
legal counsel, mental retardation, cost, etc. - provided participants with information and
techniques for educating friends, neighbors, legislators, and others about the death penalty.
Elissa Schutz and Camille Bell, both survivors of murdered loved ones, impressed
everyone with their call to end executions. Elissa explained how, rather than feeling angry
at her sister’s killer, she felt used by a system that would suggest that everything would be
all right if the killer were executed. Camille, whose son was murdered, opposes the death
penalty because she knows the pain and suffering a mother endures when her child is killed.
They are co-founders of a national victims organization: SOLACE, Inc.
Participants from 15 states also had an opportunity to learn first-hand about the new
religious effort to organize against the death penalty: the Torch of Conscience Campaign.
This campaign is primarily about local action - congregations of believers of all faiths
honestly studying the issue of capital punishment as a faith question, visible witness at the
local and state level and about people of faith pledging themselves to action.
Intense work will be done for one year to light a fire in the community of faith which
will not die out at the end of the campaign, but indeed will be quenched only when the
abolition of capital punishment becomes a reality. The campaign is sparked by the hope
that in the hearts of religious believers, love is stronger than hate - compassion stronger
than revenge. Kentucky’s coordinator of the campaign is Rev. Roy Howard, a Presbyterian
pastor who lives and works in Lexington. =
What You Can Do
‘There are a number of ways members
can help build the Coalition and keep it
strong. Each member is asked to keep
his or her dues current. Check your
mailing label. If there is no date, please
become a paid member. If there is a
date prior to August, 1989, your dues
have lapsed and now is the time to renew
them. Please use the form on page three
of this newsletter.
Remember, too, there are many others
who share our belief that the death
penalty needs to be abolished. Do not
hesitate to recruit new members.
Other ideas are listed below. You
are encouraged to write or call the office
for more information about pursuing
those which interest you.
The Coalition can provide speakers for
your school, church, synagogue, club or
other group. Should you want to or-
ganize a forum or discussion series,
resource materials and study guides are
available.
Search local newspapers for articles
related to capital cases, trials, or general
death penalty articles. Clip and send
them to the office. Also, write letters to
the editor and state your views on the
death penalty in response to an article or
a letter that supported the death penalty.
Write or call your state and federal
legislators urging them to support anti-
death penalty legislation or to vote against
bills which expand the current death
penalty statutes.
Volunteer to correspond with someone
on death row. Donate subscriptions to
newspapers and magazines for the death
row population. (Check with someone
familiar with prison regulations before
doing this.)
Volunteer for a telephone tree. It is
important sometimes to communicate
quickly about pending executions or
legislative action.
Become part of a capital defense team
and work with attorneys in a variety of
ways On death penalty cases.
Each task is important. Every action
helps in the struggle to end the death
penalty. =
Page 2
July, 1989
Legislators Are People Too
Our membership tends to be active, concerned, and dedicated
to making life better for all Kentuckians. Many areas of life in
the Commonwealth are effected by laws passed in the General
Assembly and signed by the Governor. Often, members of groups
like our own are in contact with legislators. It is important to
approach them properly, remembering that many others are
demanding their time, that they, too, have good and bad days, that
their ideas, opinions, and feclings are also important.
With that in mind, some who have had experience with legislators
were willing to share what they have learned with our readers. What
follows are their suggestions.
Visiting Your Legislator
When visiting legislators in their home districts, it is best to
make a specific appointment in advance and not just drop in.
‘When you call for the appointment, specify the subject matter of
the visit. If you are planning to visit in Frankfort when the
Assembly is in session, it is best to make an appointment, but your
Representative or Senator will meet with you without one. Again,
there will be many others trying to do the same thing, so an
appointment is best. To make your visit more effeclive and to
conserve time, these tips should help:
* Think about how you want to express yourself ahead of
time. Consider possible questions your legislator might
ask.
Begin the visit by identifying yourself and chatting about
any commion area of interest.
Identify the issue of concern to you and clarify your
own position on it.
Seck a commitment from the legislator for or against
your position. It is seidom effective to press too hard,
but constituents are entitled to know the positions of
their elected officials.
Be courteous, calm and rational in presentation. Do
not dominate, but do convey your positions clearly and
forcefully.
Be brief and to the point. Legislators are busy people.
‘Thank the legislator for his or her time; and support,
if given. Restate any other positive comments develop-
ed through conversation.
Follow up your meeting with a letter of appreciation for
the time spent. Mention specifically any commitments
the official made to you. Take this opportunity to
restate your position as briefly as possible.
°
Writing an Effective Letter
Remember that personal letters count! Except for highly
controversial issues, a handful of well-written, timely letters have
a “landslide” effect. ‘These suggestions will help you write
effective letters:
« Address only one issue per letter.
¢ Identify the issue clearly. Give both the subject and the
name/number of the legislation when possible. If you know
where a bill is in the legislative process, identify that as
well,
State your position and how you want you legislator to
vote. Explain briefly.
Make the letter your own. Write legibly or type. Be
certain your address is on the letter, not just on the
envelope.
Ask a question. The letter which asks an intelligent
question should have a greater effect, and may elicit a
response.
Never threaten. Commend the person when possible.
Don’t say, “I will not vote for you unless...” Legislators
are human and respond best to reasonably stated positions.
Make your letter timely. T'V news, newspapers, announce-
ments in newsletters of groups you belong to will usually
alert you to the most critical time for a contact.
Ask the legislator to state his or her position in a reply.
Remember, constituents have every right to know where
elected officials stand.
Thank the person when you approve of an action.
Statements of disappointment and/or hopes for future
support should be shared with one who voted in opposition
to your wishes.
Phone Calls Are Effective
Sometimes there may not be time to write a letter or visit your
legislator. You may call your legislator in your home district; or,
during the General Assembly, the Legislative Research Commis-
sion installs a toll free phone so you can leave messages or talk to
your legislator when s/he is not in a meeting. Phone manners are
important:
+ Identify yourself by name, hometown, and group (if any).
Ask to speak to the representative about a particular
subject. Leaving a message is not as effective as talking
personally with the legislator. If s/he is not at the desk,
leave your name and phone number where you can be
reached. If you are often away from the phone, leave
several times when the legislator can contact you.
° Be brief and refer specifically to a particular bill by
number. State clearly the reason for your position. If you
expect a written response, be sure to give your full address.
Follow up your call in writing. Mention any commitment
made and restate your position. »
°
AROUND THE NATION
MARYLAND: A public opinion poll indicating 82% opposed the execution of the mentally retarded was a key factor in the passage of
the bill exempting them from the death penalty. Maryland, Georgia, and the Federal government all exclude the retarded from execution.
OHIO: On July 11, 1989 the members of the National Mercy Justice Coalition Conference of the Federation of the Sisters of Mercy
joined many others in declaring opposition to the death penalty. “We deplore efforts to extend the scope of capital punishment in our country
while most civilized nations of the world have abolished it.” Copies of the declaration were sent to President Bush, the Supreme Court
Justices and the Governor of each State.
NEW YORK: No death penalty this year. After Governor Cuomo’s veto of the annual death penalty bill, a strong push to override the
veto was unsuccessful. NCADP, Amnesty International, and many New York opponents kept New York free of the death penalty.
July 1989
Page 3
Capital Punishment: What the Religious Community Says About the Death Penalty
Often members of religious communities are unaware of the statements and teachings of their own faith community.
This is the beginning of a series outlining these teachings. Since some statements were issued some time ago, statistics will
be out of date. The moral content, however, is as true today as when they were first issued. A quote from Colin Turnbull,
Anthropologist, is a fitting introduction:
Ultimately, we are forced to face that gut-level question that contributes to the highly emotional nature of most
discussions of capital punishment, is the murderer human or has he in a sense resigned from the human race
and thus deserving of no human consideration? To answer this question we have to face, without flinching, the
grim realities of all that is involved in the death penalty; to recognize that it is not merely the criminal we are
considering, it is all those others, and finally, ourselves.
A resolution of the 12th General Synod of the United Church
of Christ was adopted in 1979.
WHEREAS the Seventh, Ninth and Eleventh General Synods
of the United Church of Christ have declared their opposition to
the death penalty as a means of restorative justice; and
‘WHEREAS such opposition is based on our understanding of
the Christian Faith and the New Testament call to redemptive
love, mercy and sanctity of life; and
WHEREAS the death penalty has now been reinstated in
thirty-five states resulting in 520 people being confined to death
tow--132 of whom reside in the Florida State Prison; and
WHEREAS it has been demonstrated that the death penalty
is applied discriminately toward Blacks, Hispanics, Native Ameri-
cans; and
WHEREAS 80 percent of men and women on death row
could not afford an attorney; and
WHEREAS executions have been resumed recently in Florida;
and
WHEREAS we are concerned about possible executions of
hundreds of persons in this nation over the next few years;
therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED that the Twelfth General Synod of the
United Church of Christ reaffirm opposition to the death penalty,
and that it call upon its brother-in-Christ and United Church of
Christ member, the Governor of Florida, to cease the authoriza-
tion of additional executions in Florida, and further call upon-
governors of all states to refrain from the authorization of
executions;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Twelfth General
Synod instruct its President to continue to try to communicate
directly with the Governor of Florida on its behalf expressing deep
pastoral concern and moral anguish over the Governor’s role in
inspiring the resumption of executions in this country; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all General Synod
delegates and visitors from those states wherein the death penalty
currently exists be encouraged to petition their governors and state
legislators to reconsider and review those existing statutes which
legalize the killing of human beings;
BE IT ALSO FURTHER RESOLVED that the Twelfth
General synod recognize the failure of the Church to affect the
moral climate of this nation on this matter where polls indicate a
majority of the people both endorse and support capital punish-
ment; and that it enable its instrumentalities and agencies to
develop additional resources needed to educate and organize the
UCC constituency on this issue; and that the Conferences be
encouraged to assist local churches and individual members of the
United Church of Christ to engage in serious ethical reflection and
prayer-guided action toward the eradication of legalized execution
and the creation of a more just and humane society. We will
continue to offer our prayers on behalf of our brothers-in-Christ,
and our brothers and sisters on death row in hopes we may end
further legalized killing.
(Turn to page 4 for the position paper of the United Methodist
Church adopted by the 1980 General Conference, Indianapolis.)
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Page 4
Churches cont.
In spite of a common assumption to the contrary, “an eye for
and eye and a tooth for a tooth,” does not give justification for
the imposing of the penalty of death. Jesus explicitly repudiated
the lex talionis (Matthew 5:38-39) and the talmud denies its literal
meaning, replacing it with financial indemnities.
‘When a woman was brought before Jesus, having committed a
crime for which the death penalty was commonly imposed, our
Lord so persisted in questioning the moral authority of those who
were ready to conduct the execution, that they finally dismissed
the charges (John 8:31f).
‘The Social Principles of The United Methodist Church condemns.
“torture of persons by governments for any purpose,” and asserts
that it violates Christian teachings. The church also through its
Social Principles further deciares, “we oppose capital punishment
and urge its elimination from all criminal codes.”
After a moratorium of a full decade, the use of the death
penalty in the United States has resumed. Other Western nations
have largely abolished it during the 20th century. But a rapidly
rising rate of crime and an even greater increase in the fear of
crime has generated support within the American society for the
institution of death as the punishment for certain forms of
homicide. It is now being asserted, as it was often in the past,
that capital punishment would deter criminals and would protect
law-abiding citizens.
The United States Supreme Court, in Gregg v. Georgia, in
permitting use of the death penalty, conceded the lack of evidence
that it reduced violent crime, but then permitted its use for
purposes of sheer retribution.
The United Methodist Church cannot accept retribution or
social vengeance as a reason for taking human life. It violates our
deepest belief in God as the creator and the redeemer of
humankind. In this respect, there can be no assertion that human
life can be taken humanely by the state. Indeed, in the long run,
the use of the death penalty by the state will increase the
acceptance of revenge in our society and will give official sanction
to a climate of violence.
The United Methodist Church is deeply concerned about the
present high rate of crime in the United States, and about the
value of a life taken in murder or homicide. By taking another
life through capital punishment, the life of the victim is further
devalued. Moreover, the church is convinced that the use of the
death penalty would result in neither a net reduction of crime in
general nor in a lessening of the particular kinds of crime against
which it was directed. Homicide--the crime for which the death
penalty has been used almost exclusively in recent decades—
increased far less than other major crimes during the period of the
moratorium. Progressively rigorous scientific studies, conducted
over more than forty years, overwhelmingly failed to support the
thesis that capital punishment deters homicide more effectively
than does imprisonment. The most careful comparisons of
homicide rates in similar states with and without it have found as
many or slightly more criminal homicides with use of the death
penalty.
The death penalty also falls unfairly and unequally upon an
outcast minority. Recent methods for selecting the few persons
sentenced to die from among the larger number who are con-
victed for comparable offenses have not cured the arbitrariness
and discrimination that have historically marked the administration
of capital punishment in this country.
The United Methodist Church is convinced that the nation’s
leaders should give attention to the improvement of the total
criminal justice system and to the elimination of social conditions
which breed crime and cause disorder, rather than fostering a false
confidence in the effectiveness of the death penalty.
The United Methodist Church declares its opposition to the
retention and use of capital punishment in any form or carried
out by any means; the church urges the abolition of capital
TO HELP AT THE STATE FAIR, AUGUST 17 - 27, CALL PETER HOUCK, 491-3960
punishment.
KCADP
KENTUCKY COALITION TO ABOLISH THE DEATH PENALTY
712 EAST MUHAMMAD ALI BOULEVARD
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY 40202
