Posts tagged death penalty
ACLU Says Denial of Clemency for Troy Davis Exemplifies Death Penalty’s Systemic Injustices
9.20.11
Execution in Face of Serious Doubts Unconscionable and Unconstitutional
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: (212) 549-2666;media@aclu.org
ATLANTA – The Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles today denied clemency to Troy Davis, despite serious concerns that he was wrongly convicted of killing a police officer in 1989.
“The refusal today by the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles to grant Troy Davis clemency underscores the vast systemic injustices that plague our death penalty system,” said Denny LeBoeuf, director of the ACLU Capital Punishment Project. “No innocent person should ever be put to death, and it is unconscionable and unconstitutional to carry out an execution where, as in Troy’s case, significant doubts exist. The death penalty system in the United States is arbitrary, discriminatory and comes at an enormous cost to taxpayers, and it must be ended.”
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The ACLU of Oklahoma praises Henry for clemency grant
7.30.08
Press Release
7/30/08
Oklahoma City, OK — The American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma’s Anti-Death Penalty Project (ADPP) commends Governor Brad Henry for granting clemency to Kevin Young. Young was sentenced to die in Oklahoma County for the murder of Joseph Sutton in May of 1996. The Pardon and Parole Board recommended clemency on June 9, and on July 24, Henry bravely commuted Young’s death sentence to life without parole. It is only his second time to grant clemency since taking office. The members of the ACLU of Oklahoma’s ADPP believe this is a step in the right direction for abolishing the death penalty in Oklahoma.
Members of the ADPP were present when the Pardon and Parole Board made the decision to grant clemency for Young. Four jurors that originally sentenced Young to die pleaded to the Board to grant him clemency. Young’s family explained how he was an asset in their lives by teaching the children in their family that living a life of crime will lead to life in prison. Due to Oklahoma laws, Young was not able to appear in person at his hearing but was able to testify via television. He said he was truly sorry to Sutton’s family More >
