9th World Day Against the Death Penalty – 10th October 2011

Do you agree with the death penalty?

No I do not. Anyone that knows me will say the same about me. I’ve become more and more opposed to it in the past year or so when many States across the USA have been murdering people on death row that *might* well be totally innocent, not to mention the hundreds already murdered that have since been found innocent.

It’s not ok for me or you to go around killing people so why is it okay for a jury and/or judge to decide someone should die and a State to allow the murder. From the jury, to the judge to the executioners and staff in the execution chamber… all have blood on their hands and a conscience that they killed someone… if the inmate was guilty then those people are no better than the killer themselves.

Most of you will have been made aware of the recent Troy Davis case. I hope that movement will bring an end to the death penalty in the United States.

I Am Troy Davis

Last night I watched Democracy Now with Amy Goodman, live from outside GA’s death row. Over 35,000 others were watching just online, with who knows how many via the various TV stations in the USA that were showing this. I was appalled that no mainstream media were covering this event anywhere in the World.

I received this in my inbox this morning, sums up everything:

Tonight the State of Georgia has killed an innocent man.

In recent weeks, we fought hard for the commutation of Troy Davis’ sentence. More than one million of your petitions were delivered. Protests, rallies and vigils were organized around the globe. Tonight, we fasted and prayed together as a community.

I have spent the past week with Troy’s family. He wanted the world to know that he understood that this struggle goes beyond just one man. Troy was prepared to die tonight. As he said again and again, the state of Georgia only held the power to take his physical body. They could not take his spirit, because he gave his life to God.

Let’s remember and heed Troy’s words: We must not let them kill our spirit, either.

Troy’s execution, the exceptional unfairness of it, will only hasten the end of the death penalty in the United States. The world will remember the name of Troy Anthony Davis. In death he will live on as a symbol of a broken justice system that kills an innocent man while a murderer walks free.

The world will remember Troy’s name, as the death penalty supporters who expressed doubt in this case begin to doubt an entire system that can execute a man amidst so many unanswered questions.

The world will remember Troy’s name, as death penalty opponents who remained silent in the past realize that their silence is no longer an option.

The world will remember Troy’s name because we will commemorate September 21st each year as both a solemn anniversary and a call to action. The night they put Troy Davis to death will become an annual reminder that justice will not be achieved until we end this brutal practice of capital punishment.

“This movement,” Troy said, “started before I was born.” After tonight, our movement will grow stronger until we succeed in destroying the death penalty in the United States once and for all.

I know you will join me. Together we will secure his legacy, and the world will remember the name Troy Anthony Davis.

In solidarity,

Ben Jealous

TX: Another innocent man to be executed… please help!

I don’t always cross-post from my other blog but received this via the Ray Hill Prison Show Yahoo Group…

“To whom it may concern,
I apologize for how rude this is, but I am writing you this because I
need urgent assistance, as my execution date is 2 months away.

My name is Steven Woods. #999427. I was wrongfully convicted and
sentenced to death by the state of Texas for capital murder in 2002,
and have always maintained my innocence. Three months after I was
convicted, the real murderer, Marcus Rhodes stood up in court and

testified that he was the one who knowingly and intentionally killed
both victims. He never once mentioned me. There is no physical
evidence connecting me to the crime scene. Marcus’ fingerprints were
all over the murder weapons. Mine were not. The victims’ backpacks

were in Marcus’ car, which was littered with bullet casings. Most, if
not ALL of what the prosecution said about me was false. My family
will be happy to confirm this. It makes no difference though. I am
here to take blame for this crime, so that a rich, well-connected

family would not have to deal with negative media and the burdens that
come with death row. How convenient. Well, not really. Not for my
family. The next time my mom will get to hug me or even hold my hand
will be on September 13 2011 after I’m dead. Up until now, I somehow

convinced myself that everyone would know that something just isn’t
right, and they’d act on it. So much for that.

Right now, what I need more than anything, is your help please. I have
no phone access, no internet access and no one to hear my cries for

help.
I’m begging YOU, please to hear my story and share it with others. I
need people to please contact Gov. Rick Perry of Texas. (Gov. Perry is
planning on running for presidency- so this would be a great time to

bring up his careless murderous antics and his destructive attitude
towards human life). Perry has already killed at least one innocent
man- who was my good friend, Cameron Todd Wllingham, and this should
not be allowed to happen again. I don’t want to die. I miss my family.

I want to hug my wife again (I can’t even hold her hand) I want to
have kids with her and be able to live life like a human being after
10 years in total confinement. The chance to do this will be taken
away from me this September when Texas executes me for a crime I

didn’t commit.
You can change this. Please, please, I beg you for your help. It’s a
matter of life and death.

Love and Revolution,
Steven Woods
www.facebook.com/savesteven

www.savesteven.info
www.texaskills.com”

To help please e-mail Gov. Rick Perry of Texas at: governor@state.tx.us, homeheadquarters@rickperry.org, campaign@rickperry.org

Email the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles: bpp-clemency@tdcj.state.tx.us

To contact Steven Woods personally via mail:
Steven Woods #999427
Polunsky Unit
3872 FM 350 South
Livingston, TX 77351
USA

Thank you.

USA breaches international law

I’ve just posted this on my other blog Prison and Row so apologies if you read this twice, but I think it’s incredibly important no matter what your views are on the death penalty and whether or not you think Mr Leal did the crime.

The US breached international law when the state of Texas executed a Mexican citizen convicted of raping and killing an American girl, the UN’s senior human rights official has said. By a 5-4 vote, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to stay the execution of Humberto Leal Garcia. Justice Breyer wrote a dissent joined by three justices.

Read statements from former U.S. Diplomats and Senator Patrick Leahy, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The following statement is attributed to Sandra L. Babcock, attorney for Humberto Leal Garcia: “Today the United States stumbled in its commitment to the rule of law. Mr. Leal, tragically, will suffer the consequences. He will be executed tonight, despite the fact that his right to consular assistance was violated. If he had had the assistance of the Mexican consulate at the time of trial, Mr. Leal would have had a meaningful opportunity to show that he was not guilty of capital murder.

“It is shameful that Mr. Leal will pay the price for our inaction. The need for Congressional action to restore our reputation and protect our citizens is more urgent than ever.

“This case was not just about one Mexican national on death row in Texas. The execution of Mr. Leal violates the United States’ treaty commitments, threatens the nation’s foreign policy interests, and undermines the safety of all Americans abroad. That is why the U.S. Solicitor General, former diplomats, military leaders, and Americans detained overseas were among those who joined together to call for a stay of execution.

“It is now imperative that Congress promptly act to ensure passage of legislation that will bring the U.S. into compliance with its international legal commitments and provide judicial review to the forty Mexican nationals who remain on death row in violation of their consular rights.”

Sandra L. Babcock, Clinical Professor of Law at Northwestern University School of Law and attorney for Mr. Leal, July 7, 2011

More on Humberto Leal

This just about sums up the situation… from Ray Hill’s Prison Show Yahoo Group this is what Gloria Rubac said:

“The damn Supreme Court has denied a stay of execution and Humberto Leal’s sister, who is going to witness the execution left 15 minutes ago to go to the TDC Administration Building to prepare to go into the death house at 6:00 PM. Delia was with the family in Huntsville.

For those who do not know, Humberto Leal was never given his right to contact the consulate of the Mexican government after his arrest for capital murder. He is a Mexican citizen.

This is outrageous when the US president, the Human Rights Commissioner for the United Nations and the US Soliicitor General all ask texas to stop the execution of Humberto Leal. And what does Gov Perry do? He thumbs his nose at the Mexican people, the World Court and allows this execution to take place.

What is with the Supreme Court? what is with Gov Perry? They are all assassins! They violate the World Court ruling with impunity! Criminals!

OUTRAGEOUS!!”

Texas executes Mexican citizen after court stay rejected – USATODAY.com

Texas executes Mexican citizen after court stay rejected – USATODAY.com.

If you had your own reality show, what would it be called? What would it be about? Who would the main characters be?

I would have it focus on a prison in the USA. “Prison Life” not very classy but it says what it’s about. Main characters would be the prisoners and their daily struggles.

It would be neat to focus on more than one prison.