[WCADP-list] WCADP Update: Proportionality; Innocence Protection Act Passes Congress, and more...

[wcadp-list at lists.drizzle.com]

In this email:
 
1.  WCADP Steering Committee Member Publishes Law Review Article on
Proportionality
2.  Innocence Protection Act Passes Congress
3.  Man freed from death row by DNA and author to visit Seattle on 29
October
4.  Declaration of Life now on WCADP website.
 
  _____  

1.  Tim Kaufman-Osborn Publishes on Topic of Proportionality
 
Tim Kaufman-Osborn, member of the WCADP Steering Committee and Baker
Ferguson Professor of Politics and Leadership Department of Politics at
Whitman College in Walla Walla has published "Capital Punishment,
Proportionality Review, and Claims of Fairness (With Lessons From Washington
State)," 79 Washington Law Review 3 (2004): 775-880

This article explores the adequacy of one of the safeguards adopted by many
states, following the reinstatement of capital punishment in 1976, in order
to ensure that the death penalty is applied fairly. Relying chiefly on
evidence drawn from Washington State, the article asks whether the practice
of comparative proportionality review has ensured that there is now a
rational basis for distinguishing between those who are sentenced to die and
those who are not. An analysis of the trial judge reports employed by the
Washington State Supreme Court in reviewing death sentences, as well as the
method used by the court in conducting its reviews over the course of the
past two decades, indicates that the death penalty remains arbitrary and
capricious in its administration. The failure of comparative proportionality
review furnishes yet another reason for concluding that capital punishment
cannot be conducted in a way that comports with the claims of fairness

The article is now available via Lexis-Nexis and, of course, through the law
review itself.  A PDF version of the article will soon be available through
our website.  Email info at abolishdeathpenalty.org to inquire about
downloading a copy.

  _____  

2.  Innocence Protection Act Passes Congress, Awaits President's Signature

After years of hard work, the Innocence Protection Act has passed the
Congress and is headed to the President for his signature! The legislation
was attached to another crime bill, and passed through both houses as
Congress stayed in session over the weekend. Congratulations on the tireless
hard work that helped make this happen! This legislation will help improve
access to post-conviction DNA evidence, will help provide funding so that
DNA rape kits can be tested, will help improve the quality of legal
representation in capital cases, and will help increase the compensation for
the wrongfully accused. As Senator Leahy said, it is a day to rejoice! 

  _____  

3.  Man freed from death row to visit Seattle

Tim Junkin, author of Bloodsworth: The True Story of the First Death Row
Inmate Exonerated by DNA and Kirk Bloodsworth, the subject of this book -- a
man freed from death row based on DNA evidence, will be coming to Seattle
for a free event that is open to the public.  Mr. Bloodsworth and Mr. Junkin
will be appearing at the University Bookstore, 4326 University Way NE, on
Friday, 29 October 2004 at 7:00 p.m.  Call 206-545-3833 for more
information.  For more information about Kirk Bloodsworth and visit the
Innocence Project at
<http://www.innocenceproject.org/case/display_profile.pho?id=21>
http://www.innocenceproject.org/case/display_profile.pho?id=21

  _____  

4. Declaration of Life available on Website

We have made available on our website a downloadable PDF form you can use to
indicate your wishes to prosecutors, family and friends, and others that you
do not want them to pursue the death penalty in the event that you die at
the hands of another.  This form is available at
<http://www.abolishdeathpenalty.org/Links.htm>
http://www.abolishdeathpenalty.org/Links.htm.

  _____  

To change the address where you receive these emails please send us a note
at  <blocked::mailto:info at abolishdeathpenalty.org>
info at abolishdeathpenalty.org.  

 

To unsubscribe from all future mailings simply send an email to
<blocked::mailto:wcadp-list-request at lists.drizzle.com>
wcadp-list-request at lists.drizzle.com with the word "unsubscribe" in the
subject (you can leave the rest of the email blank).  You will receive a
confirmation email.  Be sure to respond to the confirmation email otherwise
you will not be removed from our list.

 

We welcome all feedback about how we are doing.  Please send any comments or
criticism to  <blocked::mailto:info at abolishdeathpenalty.org>
info at abolishdeathpenalty.org.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - 

The Washington Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty
P. O. Box 3045
Seattle, WA 98114
(206) 622-8952
www.abolishdeathpenalty.org <http://www.abolishdeathpenalty.org/> 
 
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.drizzle.com/pipermail/wcadp-list/attachments/20041015/b81e08a8/attachment.html