[FADPUpdate] We Made It!

Thu Jan 3 17:10:55 EST 2008

Friends,

We made it!  2007 was the first year since 1982 (25 years) without an 
execution in Florida.  We had a close call on November 15th, when an 
execution was stayed in the final few hours.  2007 saw New Jersey 
abolish the Death Penalty, New York officially discontinue it's use and 
the U.N. pass a resolution for a worldwide moratorium.

There is much to do in Florida in 2008.

Gandhi once said, "First they ignored us. Then they laughed at us. Then 
they fought us. Then we won."

Shine the light,

---Mark

Contents:
2007 News Article
SCOTUS Baze vs Rees
Gov. Crist on DP
Letters to the Editor
MVF Action - Jan 8
NE Fla Mtg - Jan 30
Another Fla Exoneration?

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CHALLENGES HALT FLORIDA EXECUTIONS FOR 2007

Ron McAndrew forwarded this informative article from the Sarasota 
Herald Tribune.  It provides a brief overview of some of last year's 
Florida lethal injection highlights and a glimpse of some of the 
challenges ahead.  Please see FADP's "DP in the News" for more.

http://www.fadp.org/news/20071230(1)/

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U.S. SUPREME COURT BEGINS HEARINGS ON MONDAY

Monday, January 7, the U.S. Supreme Court is to begin hearing arguments 
on Kentucky's lethal injection protocol.  A decision is expected in the 
coming months.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-01/mc-mcp010208.php

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QUOTE FROM GOV. CRIST

Our Governor made this statement to the Sun-Sentinel, published Jan. 3:

Crist said signing the death warrant was one of the hardest decisions 
he faced in his first year.

"Knowing the probability is somebody is going to die as a result of 
that signature, my signature... that's not an easy thing to do," he 
said. "But then I thought about his action. I believe in justice."

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TAKE ACTION

Letters to the Editor are a quick and easy way to take action.  
Whenever a Death Penalty related article is published or a quote is 
made, like the above example from Gov. Crist, it is an opportunity to 
respond with a letter to the editor and make your views known to 
thousands.  Here is a recent example:

OrlandoSentinel.com
OPINION Reader Views
N.J. death-penalty wisdom . . .
December 19, 2007

On Monday New Jersey was recognized around the world for becoming the 
first state since 1965 to abolish the death penalty. It is being hailed 
as a watershed moment, yet the story was buried Tuesday on page A5 of 
the Sentinel while a story on a recent weather-radio glitch adorned 
page A1.

In addition, the article failed to state the real reason for the move 
to make life without parole the harshest sentence in the state, and 
that is cost.

Others states could be soon to follow the lead signed by New Jersey 
Gov. John Corzine.

New York ruled the death penalty unconstitutional in 2004, while 
Illinois is in its eighth year of a self-imposed moratorium on capital 
punishment. Similar actions or legislation is expected to follow in 
California, North Carolina and Tennessee.

Perhaps it's time for Florida -- a state that leads all others in 
death-row exonerations -- to take a look at the money wasted versus the 
return.

Life without parole allows remediation in the case of an incorrect 
verdict and will allow more money to be earmarked for law enforcement 
and the building of new prisons.

It's time for Florida to get on board with the rest of the world.

WILLIAM GAINES
CAPE CANAVERAL

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ATTENTION CENTRAL FLA ACTIVISTS

Victims Families Seek Life for Accused Killer
Tuesday, Jan. 8, at 9:00 AM, murder victim's family member, Juanita 
Perez,
along with family members and FADP, will be conducting a vigil at the
Brevard County Courthouse extension in Viera, Fla.  All abolitionists
in the area who can help are invited to join FADP and Juanita's family
in this action.  Two years ago Juanita lost her son Benjamin Hamilton,
his wife Satrah Buckowski and their 5 year old daughter Ivory Hamilton
to murder.  The suspect has offered to plead guilty in exchange for 3
life w/o the possibility of parole sentences, but the State Attorney
(who is running for election) is still considering seeking the Death
Penalty in this high profile case.  Juanita and most of her family are
seeking an end to the killing madness which she says will only
perpetuate the suffering of all families involved.  A life without
parole sentence is carried out immediately.

The Brevard County Courthouse Extension is located at 2725 Judge Fran
Jamieson Way, Viera, FL (321) 637-2000.  Viera is located off of I95
just south of Titusville.  Call me if you need directions.

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NORTHEAST FLA DP STRATEGY MEETING #2

In November 2007, Gainesville hosted a Northeast Florida Regional 
Strategy
meeting for groups and individuals interested in ending the death 
penalty in
Florida.  It gave us an opportunity for sharing the work we have been 
doing,
discussing opportunities in Florida, and strategizing about future 
actions.
Following a productive exchange of ideas at this initial meeting, we 
have
now scheduled a second meeting in January 2008.  We hope that you will 
be
able to attend.

PLEASE PROVIDE US CONTACT INFO FOR ANY GROUPS OR INDIVIDUALS
THAT YOU THINK SHOULD BE INVITED TO THIS MEETING.

LOCATION: Westminster Presbyterian Church
(the building closest to 34th street)
1521 NW 34th ST, Gainesville, FL 32605
DATE: Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
TIME:  6pm - 8pm

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Mark Elliott
Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty

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ANOTHER FLORIDA DEATH ROW EXONERATION?

Roy McDuffie is scheduled for a new trial on Jan. 28th in Deland, 
although the State Atty's office may decide before then that they don't 
want to prosecute.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orl-mcduffie2007dec20,0,2850251.story 

If he is not re-tried or is not re-convicted, he will become yet 
another exoneration off Florida's Death Row.

By FADP's count, he would be #27.  By DPIC's count, he would be #23.

Either way, it is a remarkable testament to Florida's unjust and 
mistake-ridden Death Penalty system.

Problem is, most Floridians are unaware of the magnitude of mistakes 
and inherent risk of executing innocent people.

We need to change that.

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Thanks to those who take action and support the work of FADP.
Every donation is important.
Any amount helps.

Lia Orlando recently summed up our task:

"If we want to live in a Florida that is more humane and less 
violent...then we need to be more humane and less violent."

Hope you and your loved ones have a happy, healthy and safe 2008.

---Mark

Mark Elliott, Executive Director
Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, FADP.org

2840 W. Bay Drive, #118
Belleair Bluffs, FL 33770
(727)215-9646
mark at fadp.org

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